Pat E O'Rourke
May 2026
Pat E
O'Rourke
,
RN
MyMichigan Health
Gladwin
,
MI
United States
She did not just provide medical care; she provided comfort, trust, and confidence at a moment when our family truly needed it.
When I brought my young son to the Emergency Department, he was scared, overwhelmed, and clearly anxious about being in the ER environment. As a parent, that fear is incredibly hard to watch, especially when you are uncertain about what your child is experiencing and just want answers and reassurance.
From the moment Nurse Pat entered the room, everything changed. Pat immediately recognized his fear and met him exactly where he was emotionally, speaking to him calmly, gently, and with genuine warmth. Rather than rushing through tasks, Pat took the time to build trust with him first, explaining what was happening in a way that a child could understand and making sure he felt safe before proceeding with any care.
Pat demonstrated exceptional clinical knowledge while also showing extraordinary compassion. She was thorough, attentive, and thoughtful in her assessment, clearly explaining each step to us as parents and answering questions with patience and confidence. At no point did we feel rushed or dismissed.
Pat ensured that my son’s comfort was always the priority, adjusting her approach based on his reactions and constantly checking in to make sure he was okay. What stood out most was how far Pat went beyond basic job expectations. She consistently found small but meaningful ways to reduce his fear and anxiety, whether through reassurance, distraction, or simply being present. Those efforts had a profound impact on his experience and on ours as parents.
By the end of the visit, our son was visibly calmer, more relaxed, and far less afraid than when we arrived, which speaks volumes about Pat’s ability to connect with patients on a human level. Pat exemplifies what outstanding nursing care should look like. Her combination of clinical expertise, compassion, patience, and genuine kindness made a stressful and frightening situation manageable and reassuring. She did not just provide medical care; she provided comfort, trust, and confidence at a moment when our family truly needed it.
Nurse Pat is a remarkable example of relationship-based care and an absolute credit to MyMichigan Health. Her impact on our experience will not be forgotten, and she is truly deserving of recognition through the DAISY Award.
From the moment Nurse Pat entered the room, everything changed. Pat immediately recognized his fear and met him exactly where he was emotionally, speaking to him calmly, gently, and with genuine warmth. Rather than rushing through tasks, Pat took the time to build trust with him first, explaining what was happening in a way that a child could understand and making sure he felt safe before proceeding with any care.
Pat demonstrated exceptional clinical knowledge while also showing extraordinary compassion. She was thorough, attentive, and thoughtful in her assessment, clearly explaining each step to us as parents and answering questions with patience and confidence. At no point did we feel rushed or dismissed.
Pat ensured that my son’s comfort was always the priority, adjusting her approach based on his reactions and constantly checking in to make sure he was okay. What stood out most was how far Pat went beyond basic job expectations. She consistently found small but meaningful ways to reduce his fear and anxiety, whether through reassurance, distraction, or simply being present. Those efforts had a profound impact on his experience and on ours as parents.
By the end of the visit, our son was visibly calmer, more relaxed, and far less afraid than when we arrived, which speaks volumes about Pat’s ability to connect with patients on a human level. Pat exemplifies what outstanding nursing care should look like. Her combination of clinical expertise, compassion, patience, and genuine kindness made a stressful and frightening situation manageable and reassuring. She did not just provide medical care; she provided comfort, trust, and confidence at a moment when our family truly needed it.
Nurse Pat is a remarkable example of relationship-based care and an absolute credit to MyMichigan Health. Her impact on our experience will not be forgotten, and she is truly deserving of recognition through the DAISY Award.