My dad was a patient on the Ortho floor at NCH. He had fallen and broken his hip, requiring hip replacement surgery, unfortunately, due to underlying late - stage Parkinson's, he had a difficult time coming out of the anesthesia. My normally docile parent was hallucinating and accusing staff of trying to kill him. Valerie took it all in stride, unfazed. She had to put a new IV in him for a blood transfusion, and my dad was yelling at her. Valerie was sweet to him and unfazed by his anger. The next day my dad was much better and Valerie was again his nurse. My dad remembered her and responded so well to her kindness. Her kindness and excellent nursing care made a great difference in my dad's recovery.
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Valerie was my mom's day nurse twice during her seven-day stay. Valerie successfully combines high competence, a wonderful sense of humor, and genuine compassionate care seamlessly together to create a trusting environment for her patients and their loved ones. She listened to our concerns, followed up with the doctor, and gave honest and helpful answers as we struggled to make all those decisions that come with any hospital stay. Valerie led by example, compassionately challenging my mom by creating a sincere and caring atmosphere where my mom felt empowered to reach for her next goal. We believe that Valerie's goodness which we experienced, was a mere glimpse of the love and care she brings to all her patients, co-workers, and loved ones. We hope she knows how much we appreciated her and what a special impact she had on my mom.