When I arrived at Mercy Jefferson, I was terrified. I didn’t know what to expect, and I was overwhelmed with fear and uncertainty. My first nurse was kind, but only with me briefly. Before she left, she mentioned that my night nurse would be great — what she didn’t say was that he would be exceptional. From the moment Nurse Brett walked in, everything began to feel a little less frightening. He didn’t just care for me — he cared about me. He knew where to find the best-tasting water in the hospital, and he never hesitated to refill my ice packs when I had a headache. But more than any task or technical skill, what set Brett apart was the time he took to talk — really talk. He noticed I had brought my Nintendo Switch and sparked up a conversation about video games. In a moment that could’ve easily been routine, he created a connection. He shared stories about his upcoming family trip to Disney with genuine excitement that made me smile. He spoke about his Mercy team with pride, saying how lucky he felt to work with such a strong and supportive group. You could tell he truly meant it — that he wasn’t just doing a job, but living out a calling. Even though I know he had many responsibilities, he never made me feel like a burden or like he was in a rush. He brought calm to my anxiety simply by being present, kind, and human. It takes a special kind of person to make a hospital room feel both safe and warm. Brett is that kind of person. I hope everyone’s first hospital stay includes someone like him, because he turned mine into an experience filled with compassion, dignity, and unexpected comfort. Thank you, Brett. You are a gift to your patients and to Mercy.