My 72-year-old father was a patient for 10 days on PV1. He was diagnosed with a stroke that affected his entire left side. My father is already legally blind, so anything that alters his proprioception makes daily life very difficult. All the nurses were excellent, but Ben consistently went above and beyond to reassure Dad that he was in the right place to get well.

He encouraged him with his PT sessions, helped with feeding, and I don't think my dad would have gotten better without the help of Nurse Ben. All the things Ben did were excellent, but what made me want to really recognize him came on my dad's birthday. Dad was feeling depressed because he was hospitalized on his birthday. Ben acknowledged his birthday, noticed he was a little down, and then bought cupcakes and candles for Dad. The joy in Dad's face when the nurses were singing "Happy Birthday" and he was able to blow out his candles made the stroke diagnosis and the upcoming rehab feel more conquerable.

I felt we had hope because we had such a special team on our side. That team was led by Ben.