Kristen Van Akkeren Tammy Melger Aggie Fabian
Photo caption: Kristen Van Akkeren, RN, Andrew, Matthew, Eric and Andrea Nygaard, Tammy Melger, RN, and Aggie Fabian, RN, together at the DAISY Award ceremony at Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center on May 18, 2009. In September 2008, Andrew Nygaard’s pregnant wife, Andrea, was rushed to Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center for an emergency cesarean section. Sadly, their little girl had no heartbeat when they arrived, and she was stillborn the following morning. Within a week of this heartbreak, Andrew wrote a letter to Jean Beaudette, Chief Nurse Executive, about how grateful he and his wife were for three extraordinary nurses, Aggie Fabian, Tammy Melger and Kristen Van Akkeren. Andrew explained that although little Sarah was stillborn, the three nurses treated her as lovingly as they would a healthy newborn. They had the foresight to dress her in pink, ink her footprints, take photos and keep a lock of her hair. Of the nurses, Andrew wrote, “It would not surprise me to find that they were dispatched from heaven to serve us in this moment – angels on earth, called to serve. These women are a blessing to your hospital, a tribute to your profession and a treasure to this community.” On May 18, Andrew, Andrea and their two sons came to ASMMC to personally present the DAISY Award to Aggie, Tammy and Kristen, the first recipients at ASMMC. The award, from the DAISY Foundation, recognizes the clinical skills, extraordinary compassion and care exhibited by nurses every day. “These three nurses truly exemplified nursing at its finest. We’re honored that our team provided the care the Nygaards needed. We’re also grateful to the family for sharing their story and gratitude with us, despite their grief” Beaudette said. |
