"My father, Robert H. Dangerfield, was admitted to MUSC in August 2008. As the one-year anniversary approached, memories of this hospitalization continue to resurface. There were many highs and lows of hope and despair for us as the doctors sought to discover the nature of his illness so that it could be treated.

My family met many kind caregivers, technical assistants, nurses and physicians. Derek Fisher stands out among them. He was the nurse who cared for my father on his first night in the hospital. There was no false, forced cheer. He was calm, competent and reassuring to my father and my family. His response to an appeal for help was immediate. He gave us clear, concise explanations of what he was about to do. He inspired confidence in so many ways. Medications were given within a few minutes of their prescribed intervals. Derek seemed to know when an ice pack or heated blanket was needed and he provided it. He let us know when transportation for one of the many tests was appreciatively delayed. When he came into the room to administer medication or hang a new bag of fluids, he came prepared with everything he needed to complete that job. This was not always the case on other shifts.

Throughout my father’s stay on Derek’s hall, we observed his balance of sensitivity and professionalism. We were the fortunate recipients of his genuine sense of caring. You may receive complimentary letters concerning Derek’s skills routinely. Then again, there may be others like me (I was exhausted and grief-stricken for months after my father’s death on Sept. 20, 2008), who did not write as promptly as I might have under different circumstances. Delayed though this letter may be, I feel that Derek Fisher should be especially commended."

Updated November 2009