Brooke Uherka
March 2026
Brooke
Uherka
,
RN
Specialty Clinic
VA Black Hills Health Care System
Ft. Meade
,
SD
United States
Her dedication was not just medical; it was human. She always makes me feel supported. She creates a sense of safety.
In the weeks leading up to my shoulder surgery, I expected the usual blend of nerves and routines that come with any medical procedure. What I did not expect was to meet a nurse whose care could leave such a lasting imprint on my recovery and on me.
From my first PRP treatment up to my preoperative appointment, Brooke carried a calm reassurance that settled my worries before I even voiced them. She had that rare ability to see past the clinical details and notice the human beneath them when she explained the surgery and recovery plan. It never felt like a script. She made sure every step felt manageable, every question welcomed, and every fear managed.
After surgery, when I was groggy, uncomfortable, and trying to adjust, she was there again. Steady, prepared, and kind. But it was in the days that followed that I truly understood why she was so special.
Only a few days after I got home, my Breg Polar Care Cube, which felt like my lifeline for pain control, sprang a leak. It sounds like a small inconvenience, but in the early days after surgery, it felt huge. I was swollen, had not slept well, and the last thing I needed was a malfunctioning device. I called the office and expected to leave a message and hope for the best. Instead, she answered the call, and she immediately understood the urgency and went out of her way to track down replacement parts for me. She coordinated everything. No frustration, no suggestion that this was outside her job. She treated it like it mattered, because to me, it did.
As if that were not enough, she went above and beyond again when a possible axillary seroma became a concern. She followed up repeatedly, not out of obligation but out of genuine care. She checked on my symptoms, made sure I knew what to look for, and helped coordinate follow-up care.
Her dedication was not just medical; it was human. She always makes me feel supported. She creates a sense of safety. She shows what nursing looks like at its very best, not just treating a shoulder but caring for a person.
A collection of small gestures carried out with skill and heart that makes a difference.
From my first PRP treatment up to my preoperative appointment, Brooke carried a calm reassurance that settled my worries before I even voiced them. She had that rare ability to see past the clinical details and notice the human beneath them when she explained the surgery and recovery plan. It never felt like a script. She made sure every step felt manageable, every question welcomed, and every fear managed.
After surgery, when I was groggy, uncomfortable, and trying to adjust, she was there again. Steady, prepared, and kind. But it was in the days that followed that I truly understood why she was so special.
Only a few days after I got home, my Breg Polar Care Cube, which felt like my lifeline for pain control, sprang a leak. It sounds like a small inconvenience, but in the early days after surgery, it felt huge. I was swollen, had not slept well, and the last thing I needed was a malfunctioning device. I called the office and expected to leave a message and hope for the best. Instead, she answered the call, and she immediately understood the urgency and went out of her way to track down replacement parts for me. She coordinated everything. No frustration, no suggestion that this was outside her job. She treated it like it mattered, because to me, it did.
As if that were not enough, she went above and beyond again when a possible axillary seroma became a concern. She followed up repeatedly, not out of obligation but out of genuine care. She checked on my symptoms, made sure I knew what to look for, and helped coordinate follow-up care.
Her dedication was not just medical; it was human. She always makes me feel supported. She creates a sense of safety. She shows what nursing looks like at its very best, not just treating a shoulder but caring for a person.
A collection of small gestures carried out with skill and heart that makes a difference.