For Ariane “Dior” Tero, CNA, compassion isn’t just part of the job — it’s the heart of everything she does.
Whether she’s offering a comforting word, playing a patient’s favorite song or praying with them through tough moments, Dior goes beyond routine care to make sure every person she touches feels seen, heard and loved.
A Lifetime of Caring
With 24 years of experience in healthcare, Dior currently works as a certified nursing assistant on the neurology unit at Our Lady of the Lake. She briefly joined the ministry in 2020, right before the pandemic, and returned to the Lake this January.
Dior exemplifies what it means to go above and beyond for her patients, and her journey is one of dedication, resilience and a deep connection to her work.
Dior’s Personal Connection to Neurology
Originally from New Orleans, Dior moved to Baton Rouge seven years ago. She’s a mother to three daughters, and her personal experiences shaped her calling to work in neurology. One of her daughters has hydrocephalus, a neurological disorder caused by an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. That personal connection has driven Dior to provide exceptional care to her patients.
Dior is part of the team of Our Lady of the Lake’s Comprehensive Stroke Center, which offers 24/7 care for clot retrieval and coiling procedures during hemorrhagic stroke.
Our Lady of the Lake stroke center is the Baton Rouge region’s first and only to receive this distinction, reserved for hospitals that can quickly and accurately treat the most complex stroke cases and have proven better outcomes for patients.
Balancing Education and a Full-Time Role
Currently enrolled at Baton Rouge Community College, she’s balancing her studies with her full-time role.
“I got into this career as a young woman wanting to be a nurse, and this is my first step toward becoming an RN,” Dior shares. “God opened up the opportunity, and I’m going through the process to receive the promise.”
A Patient’s Breakthrough
One remarkable moment in Dior’s career involved a long-term patient who had been unresponsive for months. Every day, Dior took the time to talk to her, play music and provide the care she needed. Slowly, she started to respond.
One day, the patient spoke for the first time, surprising the medical team, who thought she was unable to communicate. Dior’s belief in her patient made a breakthrough possible.
Dior’s dedication didn’t stop there. She came in on her day off to bring a radio and keep the connection going. When the patient needed to undergo a swallow study, she refused to go without Dior by her side. With Dior’s encouragement and prayers, she passed the study and was able to eat real food again.
“Dior has truly gone above and beyond for this patient,” says Tiffany Huffman, MSN, RN, director of nursing for the neuro unit and Dior’s leader.
A Heart of Service
“I give credit to God,” Dior says humbly. “Through Christ, all things are possible. I was just thankful to be an angel to help someone else.”
For Dior, nursing is not just a job — it’s a calling. Her selflessness and dedication inspire those around her, and she’s excited for what the future holds.
Dior is being honored as one of Our Lady of the Lake’s Geaux Heroes, celebrated for her care and compassion. She will be recognized on Sept. 21 at the LSU football game against UCLA.
