In 2015, I was diagnosed with Adductor Spasmonic Dysphonia. I require Oxygen 24/7. I have a tracheostomy and a Porta-Cath. I have a procedure at Lovelace Westside Hospital with General Anesthesia every 6 weeks. I also have severe anxiety. I met Ms. Deb in the early days of my medical journey. She is always calm, compassionate, and knowledgeable. Over the years, I’ve watched her mentor the newer nurses and heard her handle difficult and scared patients of all ages.

When COVID-19 hit, Surgical Protocol and Procedures changed. My husband would kiss me goodbye at the blue tent and then I was alone and terrified. However, I wasn’t alone. I had Ms. Deb and her team of nurses to take care of me and be the family I needed. I’ve never felt like Ms. Deb sees me as just another patient ID number. She sees me for who I truly am, a scared, extremely anxious patient who she’s there to calm, inform, and protect. She helps my anxiety immensely by using different strategies such as closing my curtain all the way to keep me from seeing the business of Pre-Op, turning the lights down, or turning on the TV. Her knowledge of me as a patient and her ability to read my anxiety levels make a huge difference! Not only does she take care and guide me, Ms. Deb checks on my husband. Ms. Deb is an attentive, loving, perceptive, and empathetic nurse.

Throughout my health journey, I’ve had many nurses. Ms. Deb is extraordinarily compassionate, skillful, explanatory and patient. She always greets me with a smile on her face and open arms. Lovelace Westside Hospital’s Mission Statement states, “That the nurses are to provide extraordinary and compassionate care using great skills and empathy”. Ms. Deb goes above and beyond, exceedingly checking every box on this list and more! She has made such a huge difference in my life!