I have been a nurse for 40 years. In the past year, I have spent more time in a hospital than I ever had before. My sweet husband was diagnosed with lymphoma and underwent many surgeries and treatments following diagnosis. Over a long continuous hospitalization at seven different facilities, he was cared for by countless nurses, techs, and physicians. When I think back on these difficult times one nurse stands out, Scott Carpenter.
Scott gives quality, thorough compassionate care to his patients. However, that is not what makes him special. He goes beyond that. I have seen him come into the hospital on his days off to give a sad or lonely patient a balloon or stuffed animal. He helps his patients formulate achievable goals and then works continuously to help them achieve those goals. It gives his patients a sense of purpose and achievement. He made my husband feel like he really mattered. He wasn't just another patient to him. For Scott it's not about checking boxes off an ever-growing task, it is about physical and mental healing. It is about people. He is the kind of nurse who will continue to change lives and make a difference.