Schuylar Smart, RN

I was sent from another hospital in Ellensburg to the PCU at Confluence.

I was told I had a heart attack, and I'm only 48. I also had some massive belly pain, which at first was a mystery. The doctors needed many days and tests to get down to the bottom of what was wrong with me. I lived in terror but tried not to show it. Then Schuylar came on shift. Right away, it's like he sensed I was scared.

Schuylar provided me with excellent physical care and attention. He answered all my questions about my condition, tests, and symptoms, and really made sure that I understood the situation to my satisfaction. He never treated me like I was a bother, even when he had a floor full of other patients in more dire condition.

Mostly, though, Schuylar went above and beyond for me by talking.

I was from out of town, and my family couldn't come to see me, and I was terrified. Schuylar, my 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. nurse, kept up a conversation with me. He made me feel less lonely and scared. He's the one who helped me to feel that I would be okay and that I was not alone.

This helped me to get through the long nights of worry and fear. He made me feel like I mattered—not just my physical needs, but my emotional and mental health needs as well.

If every nurse could have his insight, warmth of spirit, and gentleness, the world of healthcare would be a vastly less scary place. I looked forward to Schuylar being on shift every day. He stood out to me as the best of the best, and he went above and beyond the call of duty for me.

Thank you, Schuylar. I only got through this because of you.