Patrick treated my loved one with tremendous compassion and exemplary professional medical care. My loved one presented to the hospital with serious wounds in his feet related to IV drug use - the wounds were (to a layperson) visually very gross and smelly. Because these wounds were the direct result of addiction behavior, not everyone is able to have compassion for patients who find themselves in situations like this.

However, Patrick consistently treated him with the greatest respect and care, making him feel like a valued human being despite having an addiction and ensuing medical complications. Unfortunately, even some people in the medical community have trouble displaying compassion for addicts. But not Patrick! He approached everyday challenges with appropriate humor, creativity, and the utmost professionalism, such as when he had the challenge of putting hospital socks over very large bandages.

He lightened the mood with appropriate jokes, which put my loved one at ease. Patrick encouraged him to remain in the hospital even though he was starting to feel sick from withdrawal. Fortunately, this encouragement from Patrick was successful, and he was able to stay and get the care he needed. Patrick also pointed out his positive personal qualities. He encouraged him that he would be able to help others in the future if he worked toward recovery, helping him to feel a sense of personal value and purpose. It was clear Patrick was able to see past the addiction to value the human being who was suffering, and he did his very best to relieve that suffering and to treat him with the dignity and concern that all human beings deserve.

As a loved one of a person with addiction, I am so very grateful for Patrick and so thankful that C was able to be helped by him. I only wish there could be more people like Patrick because it is people like him who truly make a tremendous difference in combating the scourge of the opiate epidemic, helping addicts who not only suffer from medical and mental health issues inherent to addiction but also from the shame and stigma that can come along with these conditions.

People like Patrick help people to recover from addiction as well as from their acute medical issues by enabling these patients to see themselves as worthy of help and motivating them to invest in themselves because another person is willing to treat them as human beings.

Thank you so much, Patrick.