Mark Ponzel
July 2019
Mark
Ponzel
,
RN
Surgical Services
Fayette County Hospital
Vandalia
,
IL
United States

 

 

 

Upon entering pre-op, I was greeted by 2 male nurses - my 1st thought was 'Oh great, men!' But Mark stepped forward and introduced the 2 of them. Was I ever surprised! Both men were wonderful - Mark never left my side. I was a typical pre-surgery patient, scared upon entry, but Mark's bedside attention put my fears at ease. He handled me with care and compassion and explained everything he did and what was next, even what each pill was for. He never left me more than a couple of minutes at a time and made me feel calm, up until time to roll to the OR.
And the best part, Mark was the first person I remember seeing or talking to in recovery - not someone new. Again, he gave total care and compassion to me. I told Mark before surgery that I had several family members in the waiting room, but I was worried about my 12-year-old grandson. He had a bad earache. So, while I laid sleeping in recovery, Mark went to the waiting room to check on my grandson and came right back to me to report he was asleep on the floor. He also told me who all was there for me. It meant so much. What a guy!