Per reports across the hospital from many staff members, Andy Ketchersid, Advanced Practiced Nurse Practitioner (APRN), has been a rising star employee throughout the entire duration of his career at North Texas State Hospital. He has a strong, caring personality. He goes out of his way to ensure that all his patients receive top-notch quality care. Throughout the past year and a half that I have known and worked with Mr. Ketchersid he has upheld this reputation amongst his colleagues. He is highly respected by everyone on the Neurocognitive Psychiatric Recovery Program (NPRP) and across the hospital. He takes time to get to know the patients and uses good judgment with our population. He also sustains incredible leadership and teamwork skills that make him an even more valuable asset to our team.

Recently, a patient with a severe traumatic brain injury came to the hospital and was of the utmost challenge to the milieu of the unit at our facility. Mr. Ketchersid spent countless hours working on said patient's psychotropic medications. This patient sustained many falls, was very resistant to following medical advice, was aggressive towards staff, was sexually inappropriate towards staff, and was often extremely rude/ arrogant towards Mr. Ketchersid. Regardless of the challenges, Mr. Ketchersid was continuously respectful toward the patient. It took a while for the patient to be able to reach his threshold of being within a stable condition psychiatrically. However, Mr. Ketchersid never gave up on the patient. After many months of working with the patient. He eventually was able to become competent to stand trial. As a result of Mr. Ketchersid's countless hours of dedication towards this patient. The patient was able to discharge and move on with his life.

Recently, on NPRP we received an admission on a consignment basis from a State Supported Living Center Facility. Said patient was known for being extremely destructive and difficult. The patient struggled at the previous unsuccessful placement. Mr. Ketchersid stepped right up to the plate and was able to get the patient psychiatrically stable within a month’s time being placed at our facility. He dedicated a lot of time adjusting medications and getting to know the patient. As a result, he was discharged from our facility approximately a month after initial placement with us. Mr. Ketchersid worked very close with his teammates, including the social worker, counselor, nursing staff, and many others to ensure that the patient had an individualized person-centered treatment throughout the duration of the patient’s stay at NTSH that was extremely effective.

These are just two of the many examples of how Mr. Ketchersid has improved the quality of care for our patients.