I found myself in the emergency room at WP Advent quite ill with a respiratory issue. My nurse was Lorenzo Santiago who provided exemplary nursing care while I was there. The bigger part of this story is that due to my hesitation of accepting some testing ordered by the ER physician, I was told I could go home and return if I felt worse. I was on my way out the door when Lorenzo stopped me to reinforce that I return at once if needed. He also noted that I didn’t appear to be well enough to be going home and still had low oxygen levels and asked me if I would consider staying, he would see about getting me admitted. Because of him, I stayed and was admitted to short stay, where I later that evening became much more ill and in distress. I ended up being admitted for a week before my respiratory status improved.

I was lucky enough to encounter Lorenzo again as my nurse for an evening when he worked an extra shift and during the week of my stay there he sent me messages to check how I was doing. You know I believe we all have that one experience where someone comes along and is our guardian angel when we need it and I will forever be grateful that Lorenzo was mine that day in the ER. I truly believed that if he hadn’t been the nurse he was, my outcome might not have been what it was!

I was a long-time ER nurse and now a family nurse practitioner, and I can’t say enough about the competent, compassionate care he provided. There is so much more I can say about him if given the chance! I spoke to several of the nurse leaders who visited my room while I was there and stressed to them that I hope he is recognized for going way above and beyond his duty. He is an asset to your company and to the nursing profession.