During my month on inpatient psychiatry at BH3, Joey not only made my job as a medical student easier by orienting me to the BH3 unit and to psychiatric patient care in general, but he also demonstrated the most compassionate and empathetic patient care I have ever witnessed.
We shared one patient, in particular, who had been a recurrent visitor to the UMC Behavioral Health units due to longstanding substance abuse superimposed on mental illness. He was able to garner immense respect from this patient by getting to know her well and being honest and upfront with her about what changes she needed to make in her behavior in order to stay out of the hospital, but he was also able to be tough with her when she would act out.
As she began to trust him more during her inpatient stay, it was amazing to watch her realize and understand that Joey was not trying to be mean or hurt her feelings when he told her she needed to stay off drugs and control her inner emotions without acting out, but that he genuinely cared for her and had her best interest in mind.
As I watched Joey in his care of this patient and participated in her medical care, he mentored me and taught me valuable skills for speaking with behavioral health patients and how to get through to them. Joey is an outstanding nurse who works well not only with his patients but also is an amazing team member and colleague.