Terri Himelrick

Recently, Terri's neighbor passed away suddenly in her home. Terri received a text message from her daughter, Mallory Himelrick, RN, BSN (also a DAISY Award Honoree), that morning letting her know that Tammy was being taken to St. Francis Hospital and the outcome did not look good. Terri immediately left work to come home to find two of her neighbor's children at her home with Mallory. Terri then went on to St. Francis to be of support to her neighbor's husband.

On the way to the hospital Terri called a friend who was a member at Faith Baptist Church, the church that the neighbors attend, in order to track down someone from their church family to come be with him in this hard time. Terri prayed with him and stayed with him in the emergency department waiting room and was there when the doctors came out to tell him that his wife had not survived their resuscitative efforts.

Terri stayed with him while he contacted other family including their oldest son who is serving in the Air Force. Terri was with him and his family for many hours that day. The youngest child, aged 9 years, and their only girl, did not want to return home that evening and Terri invited her to spend the night in her home with her family.

The girl also said that her momma was planning on taking her school clothes shopping that Friday. Terri took off work again to take the girl shopping and bought her new school clothes. Terri became very involved with her, keeping in contact with the Children’s Minister at Faith Baptist church and helping to arrange for visits with her at Terri’s home. After school started, Terri learned about an event at the girl's school called Munchies with Mom that was a parent teacher organization event where the children got to invite their mothers to have breakfast with them at the school cafeteria. Terri without hesitation signed up for the breakfast and attended it with her, along with becoming part of the school’s PTO. Terri was able to meet with her teacher and discuss her progress academically as well as emotionally.  Terri has also invited the girl to various events with her own family such as a bridal shower and outings for manicures and pedicures, such activities that she might have taken part in with her own mother. Terri also spent a Saturday at the Cordova skating rink, chaperoning and helping organize the girl's birthday party. Terri even put on a pair of skates and skated with her.

Terri is honored for her ongoing compassionate response to this family's tragedy.