Vernon administered extraordinary nursing care and compassion for our seventeen-year-old grandson, [patient], who cognitively is about six years old. [Patient] started puberty in January 2021 and the growth spurt and hormones radically deteriorated motility in his defective organs. [Patient] underwent six GI related surgeries. Then he was stricken with SEPSIS and several infections. The life-threatening diagnoses, complications, medication and food allergies, and physiological rarities challenged specialists, pediatricians, and surgeons at Children's Hospital, Minneapolis, MN throughout more than four months of hospitalization in 2021. He is physically and cognitively impaired with hearing loss since birth with numerous rare birth defects, compromised immune system and neurological disorders. He is six foot two inches prone to violent outbursts and aggression not limited to hitting, yelling and throwing objects with or without notice. Strangers, crowds and noises are a big trigger for him.

Vernon is a small frame, short in stature, soft-spoken very smart young nurse. He chose to become involved with our grandson. Not by standing back at a distance or shielded by aids but in the forefront with soft gentle human touch and words of caring. Vernon engaged him with kindness, tenderness, touching hands, back rubs and sharing stories. BINGO and jokes were important topics that they shared together.

As a professional new in his field, Vernon had the mindset and compassion of a mature veteran caregiver. His interaction with other staff was exemplary. Vernon went the extra mile to get information, double check meds- doses and allergies sometimes in the middle of the night. Vernon got to know [patient] and established a close friend to friend and trusting relationship. Vernon knew him as a person, his ideas, his hopes as well as his medical, physical, and emotional conditions. Vernon made a positive difference in our grandson's life: showing him that he was important, caring how he was feeling, and knowing what he wanted to talk about. Vernon familiarized himself with his special toys, routine, and skill set. Vernon could calmly talk [patient] into getting up and walking to the bathroom or walking in the hallway pushing a 10 unit dispensing IV pole. For the rest of us this was a battle none of us could win without a meltdown. Vernon could talk him out of bed at 3 am, give him shots, meds, or change dressings while stroking his hand or brushing back his hair and gently soothing him back to sleep.

He shared with us that he "believes that the work of caring for another human holistically takes a lot of love and patience." Vernon has the hands and face of great faith and healing nature. He encouraged [patient] to believe he was getting better day by day. Setbacks were humps in the road, but recovery was coming. Vernon’s support, insights and compassion were a gift to our family. The genuine qualities of living in humanity, compassionate care, and vulnerable honesty are a gift beyond medical school knowledge and team engaged hospitalization. Vernon personifies the best health care model, genuine compassion for individuals, meeting each at where they are with what they need to feel valuable and loved. Humanity is fragile, children are sad and suffering. Vernon is serving with his amazing personality and gift of tireless loving compassion. Vernon shared he is inspired by his faith and following the model of Jesus. He said he starts each shift reciting 1 Peter 4: 11. "Whoever serves must serve with the strength God supplies, so that in every way God receives glory through Jesus Christ."