Patty Ferrizzi
August 2025
Patty
Ferrizzi
,
RN
Medical Surgical
Jefferson Health Abington
Abington
,
PA
United States
Patty’s kindness, skill, and advocacy made a difficult situation feel manageable.
Recently, my girlfriend had neurosurgery and was admitted to the hospital. As a visitor, I felt helpless. She was in intense pain, unable to move easily, and sensitive to both noise and light. Despite the efforts of many well-meaning staff members, it seemed no one could help her feel comfortable or assist her in getting out of bed without significant pain. That changed when Patty walked in. Patty answered her call light one day, and for the first time, there was a noticeable shift. With Patty's support, my girlfriend was able to get out of bed, use the bathroom, and return more comfortably than she had before. It was clear that Patty not only had the clinical skill but also the intuition and compassion that made a world of difference. Recognizing that she had found an approach that worked, Patty took the initiative to write her name on the room’s whiteboard and encouraged us to ask for her by name if we needed assistance. She became an advocate, not just by providing exceptional care herself, but also by teaching other nurses how to help my girlfriend with minimal pain. Even when she wasn’t assigned to us, she checked in when she had time. She was always calm, thoughtful, and genuinely invested. What stood out just as much was how Patty treated me as a visitor. She regularly thanked me for being there, which helped me feel more confident and included in the care process. She was genuinely excited for us when my girlfriend was finally able to walk a lap around the unit, and she celebrated that milestone with us. Patty even took the time to talk with me before visits so I could better support my girlfriend and help make her more comfortable. Patty’s kindness, skill, and advocacy made a difficult situation feel manageable. She brought comfort not just to the patient, but to me as well. I truly believe she went above and beyond in every way.