It has taken me a very long time to find the courage to relive the terrible days when my mother was dying, but Alfonso is worth it. All nurses gave my mother excellent care, but Alfonso provided the extraordinary care Intermountain Healthcare prides itself on. My mother bathed every day, sometimes twice a day, and Alfonso took the time to bathe my mother every single night. My mom used perfumes, and Alfonso made sure she would have her favorite perfume on. When we told him that my mother couldn’t live without lotion on her feet, he took the time to put lotion on her every night. My dad was with my mom everyday and Alfonso took the time to talk to my dad to explain everything that was going on with my mom’s care. We would often repeat the questions and Alfonso welcomed them each time. The patience, dedication, and dignity Alfonso gave my mom left a lasting imprint on such a heavy circumstance. We were able to focus our energy on gratitude for Alfonso instead of letting the grief consume us.

My father works for UVH as a housekeeper. He had asked his supervisors not to send him to the ICU floor, but staff shortages didn’t leave them with a choice but to send my dad to clean a room near where my mother passed away. My father became overwhelmed and began to cry the moment he walked past her room. Alfonso heard that my father was on the floor and, without hesitation, ran to check on my father, not knowing that my father was crying. Alfonso hugged and comforted my dad like he did years ago when my mother was dying. Alfonso told my dad that his feelings were valid and a testament that my mother is the love of his life.