Mallory Himelrick

Early on a Thursday morning Mallory was enjoying her day off when her 16 yr old neighbor rushed to the door begging for help because his mom was unresponsive. Mallory immediately went to the house next door where she found her 43 year old neighbor in her bed unresponsive. Her paraplegic husband was performing CPR by propping himself up in a partial stand between the bed and his wheelchair. Mallory took over and performed CPR until the EMT's arrived. When the neighbor was transported to the ER, Mallory took the 16 year old son and 9 year old daughter to her house and remained with them providing care and comfort. The neighbor was taken to St. Francis Bartlett where the resuscitation process continued for some time. Although they were able to get a pulse back for a short time, the neighbor did not make it.

Mallory brought the children to the hospital per their father's request and continued to remain with them, giving comfort and support while they were told of their mothers death. Mallory remained with the children, especially the 9yr old daughter until late that evening, playing games, offering hugs, and answering her questions when they arose. She actually kept the little girl with her, staying overnight at her house until late Saturday evening.

The child remembered that Thursday she needed go to school to find out who her teacher would be, so Mallory got her dressed, gathered her school supplies and took her and a friend up to the school. Friday, the daughter and her mother were planning on school shopping, so Mallory spent the day with her shopping for clothes while her dad tended to the difficult tasks of funeral arrangements and receiving visitors.

Mallory acted quickly to perform as a nurse, remained calm in a crisis, and provided care and support in the midst of her own grief in the loss of her neighbor that she has known for over fifteen years herself. Mallory's presence and quick action gave the family confidence that everything possible was done to save the life of their loved one. They were very grateful for her help and impressed that the little girl they've known for years was now such a competent nurse.

Please consider Mallory Himelrick for The DAISY Award for utilizing her nursing skills to help others, but also for the enormous amount of care and compassion she offered to this family during this difficult time.