Abigail Marler was one of the nurses who attended my father, C. My father was admitted to the ICU after an emergency tracheotomy. He was 81 years old, and after the surgery, he was very disoriented and agitated. It was a very difficult time for all of us. Abigail went over and beyond the routine nursing duties, not only to give him the best of care but also to help the family. Though Abigail is young in years, she is mature in knowing how to care for patients and their families. Her patience with him was remarkable. During his bouts of trying to remove the trach and tubes and trying to get out of bed, she displayed kindness and compassion with a firmness that calmed him over and over again. She answered endless rounds of questions, constantly reassuring us that while he was at MCE, he would be taken care of, and she was right. Abigail was one of the last people he had a coherent conversation with, and it was a conversation of grace, mercy, and strength. For that, we are so grateful.

My dad spent 17 days in the Critical Care Unit at Southeast. Unfortunately, he was not able to overcome the challenges that were a part of his sickness and surgery. However, my family and I know that he was cared for by nurses who were his "guardian angels." Abigail was one of the first, and we are most thankful for that.