Tony Verdelli
September 2018
Tony
Verdelli
,
BSN, RN, OCN
Gibson
Maine Medical Center
Portland
,
ME
United States
My husband is 59 years old, 6 ft and 250 lbs. He was independent, hardworking and the provider for me, his wife, 6 children, and 4 grandchildren. He was happy, energetic and loved life. Within a year, that life would change. New words would enter our world: renal failure, stroke, anaphylactic shock, cancer, and typhlitis. My husband became depressed, discouraged and dependent very quickly. He was now a very sick man.
Recently, my husband was airlifted to Maine Medical from Miles Hospital in Damariscotta. He spent a week in the special care unit. He was transferred to the Gibson oncology unit; this is where we would meet Angelo "Tony" Verdelli, a night nurse
Upon meeting Tony, we learned and were able to give meaning and understanding to new words: compassion, patience, respect, reliability, and kindness. Tony was/is empathetic and has a sense of humor. Tony worked with my husband through adversity, embarrassment, and humiliation. When the call button was used, Tony would appear at my husband's room with promptness and words of encouragement. One night, the call button was pressed 8 times in 8 hours. My husband "begged me" not to use it but it was a necessity. Tony never appeared tired, although I'm sure he was. Tony treated my husband with courtesy and respect. He would speak with medical staff in our presence. He encouraged us to ask questions. Tony provided me with a sense of security and trust. I knew that when I had to leave my husband's room, he would be safe and cared for.
Tony gave my husband the care he needs to maintain hope. He has restored my husband's dignity and for that reason alone, Tony Verdelli is a true DAISY Nurse.
***
During my brief visit with them, the patient's wife was in tears- they were so grateful for Tony's compassion and caring ways.
She described one especially scary moment for her when staff was outside the room (from her description I am guessing it was morning rounds). She got very scared and nervous wondering "what are they talking about?", "what next?" Tony reassured her, then went into the corridor and had the staff involved come into the room and include the patient and his wife in the conversation. As she told me this story, tears were streaming down her cheeks, and her husband confirmed everything she said. They said he changed their life.
Recently, my husband was airlifted to Maine Medical from Miles Hospital in Damariscotta. He spent a week in the special care unit. He was transferred to the Gibson oncology unit; this is where we would meet Angelo "Tony" Verdelli, a night nurse
Upon meeting Tony, we learned and were able to give meaning and understanding to new words: compassion, patience, respect, reliability, and kindness. Tony was/is empathetic and has a sense of humor. Tony worked with my husband through adversity, embarrassment, and humiliation. When the call button was used, Tony would appear at my husband's room with promptness and words of encouragement. One night, the call button was pressed 8 times in 8 hours. My husband "begged me" not to use it but it was a necessity. Tony never appeared tired, although I'm sure he was. Tony treated my husband with courtesy and respect. He would speak with medical staff in our presence. He encouraged us to ask questions. Tony provided me with a sense of security and trust. I knew that when I had to leave my husband's room, he would be safe and cared for.
Tony gave my husband the care he needs to maintain hope. He has restored my husband's dignity and for that reason alone, Tony Verdelli is a true DAISY Nurse.
***
During my brief visit with them, the patient's wife was in tears- they were so grateful for Tony's compassion and caring ways.
She described one especially scary moment for her when staff was outside the room (from her description I am guessing it was morning rounds). She got very scared and nervous wondering "what are they talking about?", "what next?" Tony reassured her, then went into the corridor and had the staff involved come into the room and include the patient and his wife in the conversation. As she told me this story, tears were streaming down her cheeks, and her husband confirmed everything she said. They said he changed their life.