I had the pleasure of having Patrick as my day nurse for several days. Within those days, I received the best care I’ve ever had in my life. This is saying something because I have an autoimmune disease called lupus that typically brings me to different hospitals to receive the proper care needed. First off, I was transferred after 11 days from a local hospital to Cleveland Clinic to get care from the best doctors because I had a stroke on my brain stem at the age of 26. Patrick was my nurse and he nurtured me, challenged me, and bonded with me through this dramatically difficult event. I couldn’t walk properly on my left side and struggled with severe chronic pain in my feet. Patrick could see that this pain was consuming me and found ways to lift my spirits. After PT got me walking with a walker, he would take me on daily walks to build my strength; knowing the first few months of a stroke are crucial for gaining back function quickly. He saw that depression was kicking in with how complicated my case was becoming when days in the hospital turned into weeks. So, he took me outside to get fresh air and to the farmers market outside the hospital, so I felt some form of normalcy. When my hospital visit turned into weeks and closing in on my 27th birthday, which was most likely going to be at the hospital, he gifted me hospital swag and my favorite dessert. Throughout this stay, we were always laughing, making jokes, and scheduling amenities that the hospital had to offer like art therapy, aroma therapy, dog therapy, reiki therapy, etc. (all tailored to things I liked). He also would explain things to me that I didn’t understand from the doctors and gave information about medications that I was taking. After he wasn’t my nurse anymore, I gifted a present to him for my appreciation of him and intend to come back to visit, so he can see my progress. But I think the best gift of all is that I can provide him is this award. This award is not just an award in my eyes; it’s quality care, emboldened, knowledge, compassion, communication, and stability for a patient from a nurse. His service to me should be an example of how every nurse should go the extra mile and provide the absolute best care to all their patients and I strongly believe that he is a symbol of that.

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Patrick was such a perfect nurse for me during my recent hospitalization for Covid 19. His calm and steady manner mixed with his expert nursing knowledge was a strong key to my daily care during a very scary and unsure time. Patrick is calm but sure, and my trust in his nursing care was a difference-maker for myself and my family. I was in the hospital with Covid and distressing respiratory symptoms and breathing difficulties, and every day Patrick showed up and cared for me and explained my situation and the plan of care in a way that gave me and my wife clear direction and confidence. His bedside manner was exactly what I needed at each step. Patrick is a caring and exceptional nurse! I don't have words enough to describe how grateful I am to be past the crisis of Covid and that my hospital care led me back home with my family. We personally have friends we have lost to this horrible virus and know its dangers. I will never forget Patrick's kind and excellent care during this scary time for me!