My mom was admitted to Hillcrest South Tuesday for observation after being in the ER while she underwent some additional testing to see what was going on with her health. On Wednesday morning, while I was visiting her before I went to work, I got an overwhelming feeling of stress and anxiety. So, when I was leaving to go, I stepped out of the door and leaned against the wall outside of her room to collect my thoughts before my workday started. I was in my own headspace, not paying attention to who was around me when I heard a sweet, soft voice ask me, “How can I help you? What can I do for you?” After being asked these questions, she introduced herself as Ami, the charge on the floor, and that she would see that not only my mom get the care and support she needed to get better and to get discharged soon but also to support the family in any way possible. These questions and gestures are something that I am accustomed to asking myself of my patients. I have never been the recipient of being asked these important and vital questions.

Those two questions broke me into being a blubbery, crying mess that spilled everything out into the open and being heard for the first time in quite a while. It felt amazing to know that someone is there that truly cares about the patient as a whole and not just a person on her floor. And that the families are involved in helping to get the patient to that point of getting to go home.

After standing there for a good ten solid minutes, letting me talk it out, and listening very attentively, she gave me the biggest, most care-love-filled Mama bear hug that I have gotten thus far in life. Finally, we walked up to the nurse's desk, where she gave me her desk and her charge phone numbers just in case there was a question or if I wanted to randomly check in with her on my mom. She was my saving grace for the entirety of my Mother's stay at Hillcrest South. I would probably still be a hot mess of emotions if it were not for Ami's support and caring spirit. She is such a role model to the others on the Med Surg floor of how to treat not only the patients, but the families as well.

Thank you for reading this lengthy, heartfelt note of appreciation for Ami! Ami is/was a godsend not only for my family but also for others.