Larry Smith
December 2023
Larry
Smith
,
RN
MICU
Ascension Seton Williamson Hospital
Round Rock
,
TX
United States
He was always there for us. When a loved one is going through something, so is the family. I felt like Larry was another member of the family there to lend a hand.
In June of this year, my father suffered a stroke and was admitted to Ascension Seton Williamson ICU. During his stay, he had several nurses, doctors, and staff caring for him. While they were all helpful, one stood out above the rest.
He didn't just care for the patient, but he cared for the person. Larry was attentive but also compassionate. For example, having been in the hospital for some time following his stroke, my father had become gruff. His normally clean-shaven face had become overgrown and dry. During his shift, Larry sought out beard trimmers, skin care items, combs, brushes, etc. He wholeheartedly cared about making my father feel like his old self.
On top of that, he cared for me. He didn't have to, but he did. He made sure I always had coffee, food, and was up to date on what was going on with my dad. He spoke to my father like a friend, not a patient. I should have nominated him in June, but I never got around to it.
Fast forward to December and my father was back in the ICU. When I showed up, my mom had been at the hospital with my dad all night. Larry had brought her warm blankets and made sure she had coffee and food. My mom and I traded shifts, and I got to witness Larry's servant spirit again as he bathed my father, brushed his hair, brushed his teeth, and applied moisturizer to his lips.
He knew his shift was almost at an end. He could have easily left those tasks to the next nurse, but he didn't. Larry, again, made sure I had lunch and even found me a piece of chocolate to make me smile. During both visits, Larry never once spoke to my mom or felt like we didn't understand medical terms. He never spoke overly loud and slowly to my dad, like a lot of the other staff. He never made us feel like he was just "making his rounds." In fact, I don't think I ever had to leave the room to look for him to ask questions or bring something to his attention.
He was always there for us. When a loved one is going through something, so is the family. I felt like Larry was another member of the family there to lend a hand. I can't say enough good things about him and the level of care that he's exhibited, not once, but twice. Thank you, Larry, for being both the friend and professional we needed during our time at Ascension Seton.
He didn't just care for the patient, but he cared for the person. Larry was attentive but also compassionate. For example, having been in the hospital for some time following his stroke, my father had become gruff. His normally clean-shaven face had become overgrown and dry. During his shift, Larry sought out beard trimmers, skin care items, combs, brushes, etc. He wholeheartedly cared about making my father feel like his old self.
On top of that, he cared for me. He didn't have to, but he did. He made sure I always had coffee, food, and was up to date on what was going on with my dad. He spoke to my father like a friend, not a patient. I should have nominated him in June, but I never got around to it.
Fast forward to December and my father was back in the ICU. When I showed up, my mom had been at the hospital with my dad all night. Larry had brought her warm blankets and made sure she had coffee and food. My mom and I traded shifts, and I got to witness Larry's servant spirit again as he bathed my father, brushed his hair, brushed his teeth, and applied moisturizer to his lips.
He knew his shift was almost at an end. He could have easily left those tasks to the next nurse, but he didn't. Larry, again, made sure I had lunch and even found me a piece of chocolate to make me smile. During both visits, Larry never once spoke to my mom or felt like we didn't understand medical terms. He never spoke overly loud and slowly to my dad, like a lot of the other staff. He never made us feel like he was just "making his rounds." In fact, I don't think I ever had to leave the room to look for him to ask questions or bring something to his attention.
He was always there for us. When a loved one is going through something, so is the family. I felt like Larry was another member of the family there to lend a hand. I can't say enough good things about him and the level of care that he's exhibited, not once, but twice. Thank you, Larry, for being both the friend and professional we needed during our time at Ascension Seton.