I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the incredible care my mother received during her recent stay in the ICU. At 81 years old, she faced a very challenging surgery to remove her left kidney. With her history of COPD and complications from fluid building up in her lungs, her condition was dire. She was placed on a BiPAP machine, which unfortunately caused her significant confusion. By the time she was transferred to the ICU, she was pulling off her mask and became very difficult to manage. That night was incredibly hard for all of us, as we faced conversations about breathing tubes and her last wishes.

The next morning, however, we were truly blessed to have Justin step in as her nurse. He brought exactly the right temperament to a difficult situation. My mother, who was delusional, combative, and had little will to live, found in Justin a source of calm, persistence, and understanding.

Justin’s ability to connect with her and gently encourage her to take small steps forward—like drinking Ensure and building the strength to sit in a chair—made all the difference. His patience, compassion, and skill helped her turn a corner. Over the next couple of days, while Justin was her nurse, we saw a shift in her outlook and her willingness to fight for her recovery.

While every member of her care team was wonderful and played a role in her progress, Justin stands out most of all. His care was not just clinical but also deeply human.

Today, my mom is continuing her journey to recovery in rehab, working hard to eventually return home. I truly believe that Justin’s care during her critical time in the ICU was a turning point, and our family will always be grateful for his kindness and dedication.

Thank you for having such outstanding individuals on your team.

Note: This is Justin's 2nd DAISY Award!