An active teacher and coach was sidelined by a severe wound related to diabetes. He could have lost his right foot. But a dedicated nurse put him back in the game.

"I still remember the day I went to the doctor. It was September 28, 2006. I had a split in a callous on my right foot, and I had ignored it. I have a very busy life as a high school teacher and football coach, and in the summer I also work as a pool cleaner. I just didn't realize how serious the wound was. My doctor had given me a good report in June, and on my own I had stopped testing my blood sugar to monitor my diabetes. In addition to being a teacher, I'm a volunteer fireman. When my ankle began to swell, I thought at first it was from an injury I sustained while fighting a fire. But when it got worse, I knew I was in trouble.

The doctor took one look and told me to pack my bag to go to the hospital. The diagnosis was osteomyelitis; an infection in the wound on the sole of my foot had spread to the bone. Because of neuropathy caused by my diabetes, I hadn't felt the pain. I had to get to the hospitals fast. I had surgery five days later.

When I came home two days after surgery, Julieta Doclosen was there to assess my needs and admit me to service. The next day her colleague Debbie Gallo arrived. She came every day to change the dressing and repack the wound. I had a second surgery in December, and was discharged on New Year's Eve. Debbie arrived on New Year's Day and came to see me daily for the next three weeks.

I could tell she really cared about me and my health. For Debbie nursing is not just a job, but a calling. She went above and beyond what we expected her to do. She was an endless source of reassurance for me, my wife Patty, and our son and daughter. Debbie did a lot of teaching, showing us how to change the dressing and re-wrap my foot. She helped me understand why it's so important-always-to take care of my feet and monitor my diabetes. I was cleared by the doctor in late March, and it felt great to get back to school. It's really because of Debbie that I'm out of the wheelchair and back on my own two feet.

Debbie and all the staff at VNACJ really care about people. You can count on them to take care of any problem you have. I'm very grateful."