I spent nearly 11 hours in the ER at St. Vincent’s Ascension on 86th Street—arriving at 11 AM and did not get brought up into my room until 9:55 PM—and one of the few bright spots in that long and overwhelming day was Nurse Casey Jones. After receiving some very scary and life-altering news from an MRI the day before—being told I have a brain tumor—I was terrified, exhausted, and emotionally drained when I arrived. Casey met me with so much compassion, empathy, and calm that I instantly felt a little more grounded. I have incredibly difficult veins to access—every nurse I’ve ever had has struggled—but Casey got it on the very first try. That may sound small, but in that moment, it was everything. Her confidence and care made me feel safe. She took the time to truly connect with not just me, but with my entire family, who were there supporting me. She answered all of our questions with such patience, kindness, and clarity, never once making us feel rushed or like a burden.

Despite how long we were there, Casey’s energy and positivity never wavered. She treated me like a whole person, not just a patient with a diagnosis. She brought peace into one of the scariest moments of my life, and I will never forget the way she made me feel—seen, heard, and cared for. Nurses like Casey Jones are rare, and she is truly a gift to everyone who walks through those ER doors. Thank you, Casey, for your kindness, your skill, and your heart. You helped hold me together when I felt like I was falling apart. Thank you, Casey Jones, so much. I feel truly impacted by you.