Let me start off by saying that my little brother is mentally handicapped and usually afraid of the doctors and appointments. Recently, he needed a colonoscopy performed, and he was very intrepid going in. From the moment she came out to get him, she was very caring and understanding of my brother’s condition.

Anytime he talked, she made a full effort to understand everything he was saying, even when she could not. He absolutely loves balloons and will always be his go-to for a conversation when he’s nervous. She made him a glove balloon to help ease him. Also made sure that the rest of the staff knew, and they went down to the gift shop and bought him more.

She explained everything so that he could understand every step. She treated him like a person rather than a handicapped patient. Made sure that I was also understanding of everything going on. While attending to him to administer the IVs and other monitoring items, she was good at distracting him with other items and completed this with no pushback from him.

She was very professional and the kindest nurse I have ever met. She was patient when he would begin rambling on. She was always there, always attentive to him and his needs and questions. She even comforted him with stories of herself and her family to help ease him. She stayed with him from start to finish as if he were her only patient. This exemplifies what a nurse should be!

Appointments aren’t always the easiest with my brother, and sometimes people tend to “back-burner” him. UF Shands is lucky to have such a lovely and caring lady!