My daughter was recently a patient at MH Katy and this was a very unnerving time for all of us. All of the staff and physicians were great, however, one nurse truly stood out. Gisel Morales was so very attentive to my daughter and talked to her in a way that truly made her feel empowered and like she existed. Many times when parents are present and the patient is in the age group where they look like a very young teen, but just crossed over to being 20, it can be awkward. Gisel kept us (parents) informed and made sure my daughter felt and understood she was heard and responsible for her own healthcare decisions. She always promptly responded to her call lights and never made her feel like it was a burden. She made my daughter feel like she truly enjoyed coming to the room to check on her and was genuinely interested in her progress. Gisel is a great example of what we expect our patients and families to experience from the MH Experience training that is currently rolling out. At one point we had a safety concern regarding medication and Gisel immediately escalated our concerns appropriately and it was resolved. I personally observed Gisel build trust and personalize care with my daughter by giving her full attention when she spoke to her and giving her the time to ask questions and never making her feel rushed. I never once got the impression that Gisel had to hurry to the next patient. Her tone and body language reflected that she was here and present and had the time. Gisel was always efficient in making sure my daughter had everything she needed every time she rounded on her and she also responded quickly to any and every concern that was brought to her attention.

I also have to add that Gisel always incorporated AIDET skills, and that type of communication framework DOES put one at ease. Gisel should be a role model in simulation labs for new hires, she is a natural at showing that she prioritizes safety, and personalizes and nurtures relationships to build trust, all the while being efficient. It doesn’t take extra time or work to show someone you care, and the effects are long-lasting.

My daughter has been in the hospital a few times and she tells me that Gisel is by far the very best nurse she has ever had. My daughter knows my role in the hospital and what we teach so the bar is pretty high. It is awesome that Gisel so naturally exceeded our expectations. Thank you Gisel for caring for my daughter as if she were your little sister. You truly made an impression on us and we are thankful that her unfortunate event of getting admitted to a hospital had a silver lining of a great care team and you as her primary nurse. 

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I was hospitalized a few days ago for sepsis and after getting admitted to the hospital I got to meet Gisel. I was one of the younger patients on the unit and felt a bit out of place especially when my parents couldn’t be there. She always came in cheerful and it instantly lifted my mood. We would crack jokes and chat. Even at times when my parents could be difficult regarding my care, she would always calmly and patiently explain each medication and procedure and why it was recommended. She was one of the best nurses I’ve met and definitely left a positive memory despite the circumstances. I cannot thank her enough for keeping my spirits up during a difficult time and making me feel comfortable and safe. I cannot recommend Memorial Hermann enough, overall the staff works tirelessly to help patients and do so with a smile on their faces. Gisel sets an amazing example of stellar performance and represents all that Memorial Hermann stands for.