Brid Hayes, RN, BSN, ANP

One situation that really stands out to me happened during a clinic appointment when I was feeling completely overwhelmed and upset about my treatment. I felt like I wasn't being heard, and I was struggling to explain how unwell I actually was and why I was so worried about staying on the same treatment plan when I didn't feel like it was working for me.

Bríd came into the room and immediately changed the whole atmosphere. She sat down, listened to me properly, and helped me calm down when I was getting really distressed. She explained everything in a way that I could actually understand and helped bridge the gap between the medical team and me when I was struggling to communicate what I was trying to say.

What meant the most was that she made me feel genuinely heard. She helped us come up with a treatment plan that everyone was happier and more comfortable with, and I left the appointment feeling much calmer and more reassured instead of defeated.

A few days later, Bríd even called to check in on me and see how I was doing. Even though the IBD service is incredibly busy, she always makes time for patients. She returns voicemails whenever she gets a chance, checks in during infusions, and always goes out of her way to help.

Bríd has such a rare combination of professionalism, compassion and genuine kindness. She makes patients feel like people first, not just another case, and I honestly don't know how I would have managed some of the hardest moments of my illness without her support.