Ryan Sands, RN

Our mother, 89 years old, was admitted to 6 West. That's where we met Ryan Sands, a truly compassionate, skilled nurse who would make my mother and her 5 children comfortable, informed, seen, and heard.

My mother was the happiest when she was a nurse. Mom was on 6 West for almost a whole month. We got to meet many nurses - some were exceptional; Ryan was one of those. Mom's health began to decline - whether adjusting her bed position, helping her into the chair, keeping her clean, and talking to her and to us so we understood what was happening and why. He was always pleasant and genuine - a real "angel" when we needed one most.

Mom began palliative care, and Ryan was caring, supportive, and spent time with us just to ask what we needed - how he could help us - even when she was moved to an isolation room and was no longer his patient. Ryan cared about my mom, and she knew it. We knew it. It made that month in the hospital more bearable for us all. Mom left Ryan to go to the hospice floor. She passed away before she was even settled there. We told Ryan many times how much we deeply appreciated the care he gave to Mom. We did not see him again after her passing. We want Ryan to know what a difference he made to our family at a most desperate time. He changed my Mom's experience in the hospital, and ours too. We are forever grateful!