My son (an adult with significant disabilities. I am his legal guardian) was admitted to the ICU unit at Meriter, being on a ventilator and having seizure issues. He had had a stroke. Being in the hospital is very stressful for him, and he needs me there to help calm him. I believe this gives me a unique experience. Nurse Hayato brought such calm confidence to the room; I was able to relax like I had not ever been able to do while my son was in the hospital. He explained everything to me, knowing exactly what he was talking about, and if I had a question he could not answer right away, he found the answer for me. His competence was undeniable. I am sure there were times he was stressed, but I never saw that.

He embodied professionalism without ego like I had not seen before. When he was on shift, I felt able to go home to feed my cat, etc. I don't have the words that explain how reassuring or rare that is when my son is hospitalized. Nurse Hayato was so amazing with and for my son, which is often difficult for people due to my sons’ disabilities. Nurse Hayato seemed to see my son, a person, who has health issues and disabilities. Many people see him as health issues and disabilities before they see person. It is exceptional to be like Nurse Hayato. When my son is hospitalized again (it will happen, it is just a matter of when), I hope to be in Nurse Hayato's area again. I am sorry this has taken so long to write, but with my son's recovery, I have been busy. It speaks, I think, to how well Nurse Hayato did that I am still thinking of it now, months later. In all of my son’s hospitalizations over the years, Nurse Hayato really sticks out as the best nurse we have had.