I am a 68 year old dialysis patient. I have been in and out of the hospital many times and many hospitals. I was having a heart attack and my heart was failing -they called it heart failure I think.

I was so scared and the doctor moved me to what he called a higher level of care for more monitoring-an ICU or step-down unit. The more the doctor talked, the higher my heart rate went, my oxygen level was going down and my heart pounding went up. When I was brought to the unit, a male nurse walked in my room at first I wasn't sure if I wanted a male nurse because sometimes men are less compassionate. I did not remember his name but I remember him. I asked later that night his name.

His name was Jon Mentgen. He was so kind, he calmed me down, explained everything to me, he explained why they put the heart monitor on me, what he was doing and the medication that he was giving me. His kind nature and explanation made my anxiety level drop, helped my family relax and my daughter in the room noticed how caring he was and compassionate as well as how skilled he was at taking care of the medication that went into my vein that helped my heart rate go down and my blood pressure go up so I did not have to move to an ICU.

He made sure that I was okay. He checked on me frequently and comforted me because I was so anxious. He took care of my belongings, he offered my family a place to rest and asked them repeatedly if they needed anything else. His calm quiet confident spirit is like no other nurse I have had.

He was so caring and compassionate while he did his job confidently and well. At one time I was so scared he stayed in the room with me. I did not tell him how scared I was or that I thought I was going to die but he must have sensed it because he stayed with me and calmed me down.

My husband, two daughters, and son so appreciate how he treated me and them. One daughter is a nurse and she said he was outstanding.

We commend him for his caring, kind, quiet spirit and going above and beyond the call of duty.