I really need to express my gratitude for a great nurse with angel wings. She was my admitting nurse to the unit. Her care and compassion went beyond what any nurse has to do. My husband had to go for a biopsy (which was 2 days later) and did not get called for surgery until 7:40 pm. Teresa made sure the OR tech told the doctor that I was waiting in the room to speak to him after the procedure. When my husband went down for the biopsy, she came back to see if I was ok because she knew I was very nervous. Her compassion aided in settling me down. The doctor called me to let me know all is well and I no more hung up from speaking with him and Teresa was there again to tell me all went well. She told me she knows the nurse in the OR and Recovery Room and my husband was doing well. I was worried because it seemed like he was in recovery, but Teresa kept me informed of his progress. She took the initiative and did this on her own, I never asked her to check! She had his bed changed and ready for him to get back. She made sure his ice packs were ready for him upon return, had 2 pillows to place under his leg, and had sherbet ready for him because she knew he like it. When I went home that night, I could actually sleep knowing Teresa was there taking care of my husband. She really was more than a caregiver to us, she was an angel. Thank you, West Penn, for having such a special nurse.

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Although there were plenty of other nurses who are great, Teresa truly stood out! I still remember like it was yesterday when the nurse aide happily and proudly clued me in that Teresa was going to be my nurse for the evening. In her words, “she’s really good, you’ll see!” Teresa definitely delivered and I’m part of her fan club now! She was knowledgeable yet compassionate, firm but kind. That’s a hard combination to find within a nurse these days. For instance, educating me on the meds she brought for me along with advising me to nourish myself with some yogurt to restore my good bacteria. WOW! A simple task is just made better by educating a patient.

Another instance was when she took my hand during a scary event as I began to hemorrhage. With everything that went on that night, the simple squeezing of the hand meant the world to me! Her kind gesture was like a warm encouragement amidst the constant revolving door of nurses coming to take blood for yet another test. She took control, like a caring mother, when she read the fear on my face of potentially not making it. When my husband called, she handed me the phone instructing me to tell him “Good night and I love you” not “goodbye”. Again, that spoke volumes to her devotion, compassion, and care as a nurse.

Nurses everywhere should look to her as a role model for successful nursing and demonstrating good quality care. A characteristic of a good nurse is one that shows empathy to each patient, making a true effort to put themselves in their patient's shoes. Just to add, I’ve traveled the world and have unfortunately been in one too many hospitals in my lifetime - so I’ve seen my fair share of nurses. This nurse is without doubt a stellar nurse!