Amanda made me and all the patients she encountered during the nights that I experienced her care feel safe, important, and "normal." Normal is not something you expect to experience during an unexpected week-long stay in the hospital. But every night that Amanda was on, she would speak with me, remembering little things like my husband's name, my profession, and my nightmares of waking up hearing other patients' coughing (Covid fears). She would always let us know that she was going to turn the lights off at a certain time. This little gesture felt so routine, so normal that it eased my mind and soul into a more restful night.

My favorite story of how much Amanda cared and went out of her way to make me (and I'm sure all of her patients) feel better is this: I was unexpectedly hospitalized. Obviously, I had not planned on spending New Year's Eve away from my family and the festivities of the evening. Amanda knew I was missing my family and traditions... I was on no food or drink for the first few days I was in, due to an esophagus perforation. The nurses all were kind enough to bring me buckets and buckets of ice chips during these days that I could chew, then spit out. Sounds gross...but, it was glorious to chew and feel the wetness in my mouth during those three days of otherwise nothing! A little before midnight on NYE, Amanda came in with my bucket of ice chips. She poured a glass of them and smiled as she poured a tiny bit of apple juice over the ice chips, and with a twinkle of her eye (and a sage reminder not to swallow!) she said, "Here's your New Year's Eve Cocktail! Happy New Year!"

Amanda Pelczynski went out of her way to care for not only my physical but also my emotional well-being during my stay at Tisch 16 West. I would love to see her recognized for her kind soul, hard work, and extra efforts in caring for her patients. She is to be appreciated and cherished!