Beth A. Hess
November 2017
Beth A.
Hess
,
RN
Institute of Reconstructive Surgery
Houston Methodist Hospital
Houston
,
TX
United States
She listened with the respect of a professional and offered me guidance to get through whatever challenges I was enduring. She helped me find my own value and dignity, even when I was at my lowest.
I have had over 15 surgeries, been through two cancer diagnoses, and been around hospitals, doctor’s offices, and nurses for over three decades. NEVER before have I met a nurse like her. Sure, I’ve met many compassionate and kind nurses, but she has raised the bar, and is in a class by herself when it comes to exceptional ICARE principles.
INTEGRITY – From day one, she has always held the utmost integrity with me. Her process and professionalism as a medical professional are impeccable. She has a way of making everyone in a room feel valued and important. She is quick to give praise to others when appropriate. She is dedicated to her job and to her patients to an extraordinary degree. It is obvious that her heart goes into her work. I have never ever witnessed her speak negatively. She is consistently patient, respectful, honest, dedicated, and committed to going above and beyond in everything she does. She holds her position with honor, and when it comes to ethics, she holds the bar high, making sure that compliance with process and protocol are a top priority.
COMPASSION – Going through a double mastectomy is a life-changing event for a woman. It affects the patient physically and psychologically. With each appointment comes its share of stress and fear and anxiety. She always greets me with a smile and a hug. She is filled with affirmations to soothe me and is understanding of any distress that I may be feeling. It is impossible not to leave an appointment feeling better than when I came in. I always left feeling stronger, more comfortable, and more settled. She helped me to not feel alone. Her compassion comes from her heart – it is sincere and it makes all the difference in the world.
ACCOUNTABILITY – Whether it is being on time for an appointment, following up on an email or phone call, or preparing me for an upcoming surgery, she is spot on with accountability. With the surgeries that kept me in the hospital overnight, she said she’d be in the hospital to check on me, and each day she showed up, just as she said. When I sent an email with questions about an upcoming procedure, she promptly answered them with a full response and was always available for support.
RESPECT – In the nursing field, it is obvious that nurses deal with all ages, races, and religions....all areas of diversity. She showed the utmost respect to me, and I saw her show it to other patients, and to her colleagues, as well. There are chapters of my past that are difficult to talk about, but were necessary to discuss for this procedure. She listened with the respect of a professional and offered me guidance to get through whatever challenges I was enduring. She helped me find my own value and dignity, even when I was at my lowest.
EXCELLENCE – This is the area that encompasses all the above. She has changed my life. A cancer diagnosis is devastating. A decision to go through with a double mastectomy can have tremendous psychological and physical effects. It is because of her that I have come out of this a stronger woman. I never once felt alone in this process. She isn’t just a nurse, she is an angel. She is a mentor, she is a confidant, and she is a woman that makes a difference in other people’s lives. She is the light in the darkness. She is a true DAISY Nurse.
INTEGRITY – From day one, she has always held the utmost integrity with me. Her process and professionalism as a medical professional are impeccable. She has a way of making everyone in a room feel valued and important. She is quick to give praise to others when appropriate. She is dedicated to her job and to her patients to an extraordinary degree. It is obvious that her heart goes into her work. I have never ever witnessed her speak negatively. She is consistently patient, respectful, honest, dedicated, and committed to going above and beyond in everything she does. She holds her position with honor, and when it comes to ethics, she holds the bar high, making sure that compliance with process and protocol are a top priority.
COMPASSION – Going through a double mastectomy is a life-changing event for a woman. It affects the patient physically and psychologically. With each appointment comes its share of stress and fear and anxiety. She always greets me with a smile and a hug. She is filled with affirmations to soothe me and is understanding of any distress that I may be feeling. It is impossible not to leave an appointment feeling better than when I came in. I always left feeling stronger, more comfortable, and more settled. She helped me to not feel alone. Her compassion comes from her heart – it is sincere and it makes all the difference in the world.
ACCOUNTABILITY – Whether it is being on time for an appointment, following up on an email or phone call, or preparing me for an upcoming surgery, she is spot on with accountability. With the surgeries that kept me in the hospital overnight, she said she’d be in the hospital to check on me, and each day she showed up, just as she said. When I sent an email with questions about an upcoming procedure, she promptly answered them with a full response and was always available for support.
RESPECT – In the nursing field, it is obvious that nurses deal with all ages, races, and religions....all areas of diversity. She showed the utmost respect to me, and I saw her show it to other patients, and to her colleagues, as well. There are chapters of my past that are difficult to talk about, but were necessary to discuss for this procedure. She listened with the respect of a professional and offered me guidance to get through whatever challenges I was enduring. She helped me find my own value and dignity, even when I was at my lowest.
EXCELLENCE – This is the area that encompasses all the above. She has changed my life. A cancer diagnosis is devastating. A decision to go through with a double mastectomy can have tremendous psychological and physical effects. It is because of her that I have come out of this a stronger woman. I never once felt alone in this process. She isn’t just a nurse, she is an angel. She is a mentor, she is a confidant, and she is a woman that makes a difference in other people’s lives. She is the light in the darkness. She is a true DAISY Nurse.