Words cannot begin to express the gratitude my family and I have for Nurse Brock. I write this today because we have been positively impacted by the care and compassion Brock has shown our family, especially my grandpa. When I consider the job description of a nurse I think of someone who listens and cares, someone who is attentive and knowledgeable, and someone who has a vested interest in their patients. Brock organically embodies all of these characteristics. He was an important part of my grandpa’s care team and my family has witnessed firsthand Brock’s dedication to nursing. I appreciated Brock’s commitment to my grandpa’s treatment and the professionalism he displayed as a member of my grandpa’s care team.

Each time Brock entered my Grandpa’s room he did so with a positive attitude and, from his warm “hellos” and “good mornings”, I imagine a smile under his mask. He greeted the family and took a moment to say hello to my grandpa as well. Brock treated my grandpa like a friend, not just a patient. He checked on how my grandpa was feeling physically and also engaged in conversation with him.

Brock took the time to connect with my grandpa finding common interests and developing rapport. The genuine interest he had in making my grandpa feel heard and respected was very comforting for the family. I cannot imagine how Busy the ThedaCare nursing staff must be, especially amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, and there is no requirement for Brock to ask my grandpa about his hobbies or the baseball game on TV, yet he did and I know my grandpa appreciated it. Brock was a kind and familiar face in my grandpa’s room and it is evident that he takes his job seriously and strives to be the best nurse he can possibly be.

Apart from Brock’s excellent bedside manner, we were equally impressed with Brock’s clinical skills. He did a thorough job of explaining what was going on and what protocol he was working through regarding my grandpa’s care, always checking in with my grandpa and never assuming things about how he was feeling.

The family appreciated Brock’s attention to detail and his transparency. I’ve watched Brock help feed, change, and adjust my grandpa's bed, deliver medication, check on his breathing (the list goes on) and he did so with confidence, authority, and understanding. It is apparent that Brock is a knowledgeable nurse and his approach appears to be education-based. He wanted us, and my grandpa, to understand the “why” regarding the treatment plan and was always happy to answer our questions or explain the rationale of the nursing staff and/or doctors. Brock understood the care plan and did a great job maintaining and assisting with my grandpa’s treatment.

Having a loved one in the hospital is never easy but with an excellent care team rooting for my grandpa it did make things a bit easier. I appreciated the way Brock checked in with my grandpa at the start of his shift and communicated with the shift before him regarding updates, progress, and setbacks. It takes a true team to provide excellent care 24/7 to some struggling as much as my grandpa was and I believe Brock took his role as part of the team very seriously. Thank you, Nurse Brock, for making us feel heard and for the compassion you show your patients. Thank you for reassuring us that you were keeping an eye on our grandpa and for being there for him when he needed help - we are forever grateful for you, Nurse Brock