It is often stated that a single individual can stand alone as the “heartbeat” of an organization, with skills and contributions so profound that they serve as the “gold standard of performance” that others strive to emulate and achieve. For me, that individual is Nick Faul, RN, at the DaVita Loveland, Ohio, Dialysis Center. Nick is the Consummate Professional: As a former business professor at Miami University (in Ohio), I believe that three of Nick’s best strengths are his technical problem-solving skills, his strong time management skills, and his business acumen. He readily navigates through complex sets of issues to find solutions that work for his patients. He is adept at blending his health care training (from the military and private sectors) with practical, hands-on abilities and a calming demeanor when working with his patients. He has fast response times in the clinic, and he resolves issues as they arise, increasing customer satisfaction for DaVita. Additionally, he explains concepts perfectly and never makes those in his care feel self-conscious or stupid. He uses the same approach when coaching newer members of the staff on how to do a better job. When I see his work, I know that Nick Faul is a true professional.
Examples of Nick’s “professionalism in action:” First, Nick understands that my body is sensitive to removing too much fluid at any one session. As he has gotten to know my limitations, he has become both accurate and precise in setting the instrumentation accordingly. As a result, I rarely, if ever, have a “bad dialysis day.” Second, Nick is diligent in asking about, and acting on, changes in medications. For example, I recently went on Eliquis to prepare me for a minor touch-up heart ablation procedure. Third, separately from my own interactions with Nick, here is one example of his compassion toward all of his patients.  Recently, an elderly patient suffered a minor fall. Nick took extreme care in checking the man over for injuries, got him back on his feet, and personally escorted him all the way to his ride in the parking lot.
Nick is a Compassionate Caregiver: One thing that I have noticed about Nick is that he provides personalized experiences for his patients. Nick is always wondering how his patient is doing by often asking, “Are you okay today?’ He is great at gathering feedback and addressing patient concerns. AND Nick always ends a patient conversation with “Is there anything else that I can do for you?” In addition, Nick does an excellent job of keeping his patients healthy and happy – not an easy feat for customers who would rather – in most cases – be anywhere else than sitting in a dialysis chair for nearly four hours three times a week. Nick is informative, but very subtle when faced with patient issues that involve specialized or personal constraints.
Nick is a Genuine Human Being: I believe that Nick Faul has a “what can be” rather than a “what is” mindset in all that he does. He often tells patients about his past experiences with weight problems – and has pictures of himself “before and after.” He readily builds a rapport with people that extends beyond the clinic to include anecdotes about his “spoiled” Husky, his two cats, or more rarely the race car secretly under construction in his garage. Knowing a little about one’s health care provider not only builds a strong connection, but increases confidence in the treatments. Nick is an inspiration to all patients that he works with on dialysis days. Nick is an asset to the DaVita Organization. In conclusion, I am grateful for Nick Faul’s dedication and his compassion in his role at DaVita Loveland. Nick always makes his patients feel cared for and heard. He is a man of integrity – honest and ethical, standing up for his patients’ well-being. His work makes a lasting impact and a real difference in many patients' lives. I can think of no candidate more deserving of the DAISY Award.