August 2021
Scott
Hoover
,
BSN, RN
Burn Trauma ICU
University of Rochester Medical Center- Strong Memorial Hospital
Rochester
,
NY
United States

 

 

 

There were days when my son was in tears and feeling defeated, and Scott would take the time to sit with him and encourage him to keep going.
My son was admitted to the Burn/Trauma ICU after suffering burns over almost 60 percent of his body. My son knocked on the doors and was getting out other residents and was trapped inside his burning-down apartment building. My son's prognosis was not good at first and of course as his mom, I was a mess.

On our second day in the ICU, we met Scott. From that day on, he became more and more special to us. Scott sat and talked with me and explained things every day he was there. Every day when I walked onto the unit, I would be greeted by Scott with an update, even if he was not his nurse for the day. I can't even explain what a relief it was knowing he was in such great care in the hours I could not be there. Scott made sure to not only check-in and care for my son, but also for me as his mother.

Even though Scott was not his nurse each shift he was there, he would always be in my son's room motivating him and assisting in his care. He motivated the other staff to get my son up and walking while he was still on the vent. Scott motivated his care team to get him off of the ventilator. I'll never forget hearing him say to the attendings in morning rounds, "Let's get him off the ventilator today. I know he can do it".

Through 9 surgeries of skin grafting and 10 long weeks in the hospital, Scott was always there for us. We were moved to multiple units, and Scott would still come and assist the staff in his care, oftentimes staying beyond his shift when things were rough. He would many times come to check on him on his way home with coat and bag in hand and end up staying to help or care for him. Scott facilitated my son's needs always and was a huge advocate to us for so many things. There were days when my son was in tears and feeling defeated, and Scott would take the time to sit with him and encourage him to keep going. He took care of us both physically and mentally.

All of the nurses in the Burn/Trauma ICU are amazing, and I truly credit my son's survival to them. However, Scott always went above and beyond and treated us like family and my son as if he was his own. We will forever be grateful to Scott VanHoover for being the most amazing nurse/advocate/caregiver/human during what was the most awful experience of our lives. Thank you, Scott, for being as special as you are and saving my son in many ways. Scott will forever hold a special place in our hearts. He is an example of what a nurse should be and we are so fortunate, and forever grateful for him and his amazing knowledge, care, and compassion.