For P’s son, it started with a simple fear – one many people can relate to. The sight of an IV needle was enough to trigger overwhelming anxiety for him. Years of medical interventions meant an IV wasn’t just a step in a medical process. It was a source of fear. When he arrived for a procedure at University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital, Jesse Murnane, RN, understood building trust would be critical.

“They hit it off immediately,” P recalls. “She advocated for him to receive some oral medication to calm him before starting an IV. It worked wonders!” That first encounter left a lasting impression. Later, fate brought Murnane back into their lives when Johnson’s son needed another procedure. Murnane’s familiar face and sense of humor helped ease his fears all over again. “She made sure the oral medication was ordered and stayed with him to be sure he was relaxed enough to get his IV,” Johnson says. “The pre-op experience was stress-free for him.”

For P, who has fought for compassionate, patient-centered care for her son for 37 years, Murnane’s approach was extraordinary. She didn’t rush. She didn’t push. Instead, she gave him time to find the right words and acclimate to everything happening around him. “My son wasn’t treated like a procedure to be expedited,” she shares. “He was treated like a human being who mattered. Thank you, Jesse!”