I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude and commendation for the exceptional care provided by Jessica “Michelle” Ellis during my recent stay at Duke University Hospital following my surgery. I’ll admit that after surgery, I was not an easy patient. I’m a big guy, and I was not in the best mood. However, from the moment Michelle arrived in my hospital room and introduced herself, she exhibited a level of compassion, professionalism, and dedication that immediately put me at ease. Her attention to detail in monitoring my condition, administering medications, and ensuring my comfort was truly remarkable. Despite the busy environment, she always took the time to explain procedures, answer my questions, and alleviate any concerns I had. Her calm demeanor and reassuring presence were invaluable during a challenging time for me.

What stood out most was Michelle's genuine empathy and kindness. Beyond her clinical duties, she consistently checked in on me, anticipating my needs before I even voiced them. Her ability to balance technical expertise with genuine human connection is a testament to her exceptional nursing skills and dedication to patient care. My wife was very impressed and said she felt like Michelle was taking care of her too. She checked in on both of us – not just me. She made sure we had enough snacks and drinks.

One of our friends stopped by to visit me in the hospital, and he observed Michelle. When she left, this fellow, who is pretty quiet by nature, said he was really amazed at Michelle’s level of care and genuine concern. Let me tell you, if he noticed and brought it up, she really made an impression on him. Michelle truly got to know us beyond my medical needs. She was genuinely interested in us as people during my stay in the hospital. Michelle is really good at connecting with people, and that is very comforting for families during a hospital stay. There were a couple of challenges during my stay, but Michelle jumped right in and took action to resolve them. One involved the pharmacy. I needed to get my prescriptions before leaving the hospital for my 3-hour drive home. The pharmacy was closing at 4:30 pm, and it was already 4:00. My wife’s sister had no idea about the location of the pharmacy, and we were nervous that she wouldn’t find it, and we wouldn’t get the medicine. Michelle secured a person to escort my wife’s sister all the way to the pharmacy to make sure she got there in time to get the medicine. Michelle really went out of her way to make sure we had the medicine we needed for the long trip home and for the recovery period later.

Another issue arose involving the support belt that I needed to wear after my back surgery. Strangely, no one seemed to know where it was or if I was going to get it. I really needed it to support my back, but I was having no luck getting it. Michelle knew I needed it, and she wasn’t going to give up until I had it. She followed through by asking different people multiple times and trying to locate the belt. She went to the location on several days to find one, and on my last day at the hospital, she brought me the belt to wear to support my newly repaired back. I was so thankful to Michelle for not giving up. The belt feels secure and offers support; I am wearing it right now, and I have Michelle to thank.

I felt so grateful for the level of care nurse Michelle provided to me that I wanted to offer her a token of my appreciation. I’ve been around many hospitals and many medical professionals, and this was the first time that I just really wanted to show my appreciation for outstanding care provided. So, I offered Michelle money to say thanks. She politely refused my offer. She is definitely a person of integrity and considers it an honor to care for people – even patients like me who can be challenging.

For 25 years, I owned my own auto body shop business. I know that finding outstanding employees is really hard. I have to say if I had employees like Michelle, who both do the right thing and do things right, it would have made a huge difference to my business and to my customers. Who knows – I might not have sold my business when I did. I believe that healthcare professionals like Michelle are the heart of any hospital, and her exemplary care has left a lasting impression on me. Her professionalism, competence, and compassion embody the highest standards of nursing practice, and I am truly grateful to have received such wonderful care under her supervision. Please convey my deepest appreciation to Jessica “Michelle” Ellis for her outstanding service. She has not only made a difference in my recovery journey but has also set a benchmark for what excellent patient care should be. Thank you once again for employing such a remarkable nurse and for providing me with an overall positive experience during a challenging time.