Anne helped make this patient's death peaceful and the family’s experience meaningful. Anne was the perfect RN to be with the patient and his family. Anne is a true Palliative Care Angel. She is compassionate by being empathetic to the patient and his family’s needs. She is merciful by doing her best to fulfill their request for comfort and peace. Her understanding of the process of death helps to educate the family on what is their loved ones and what their bodies are going through during the transition to end of life. This helped the family know what to expect and use the time they had with their loved one wisely. This is the same compassion she showed to my father and my family eight years ago when he was placed under Palliative Care Services. This is why when I saw the job opening 7 yrs ago for Palliative Care secretary, I applied because the compassion and care we received were remarkable. I wanted to be part of this mission. Pay it forward.

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Dear Anne, Thank you, for the lovely gift of time with my Dad and our entire family together for the very last time here on earth. We were blessed to have your help. Thank you for caring so much for the patients you care for at work. I have always known that you are a very special person. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking such good care of my Dad and Mom as we were preparing to let my Dad go home to heaven. You were truly a blessing to us in allowing my entire family to have the opportunity to spend time together to laugh, pray, sing and tell stories together while dealing with family members that had COVID-19 at this time. You were such a treasure and had a calming effect in such a sad and hopeless time for all of us. Whenever my Dad started to get restless and anxious, all I had to tell him was. “We have to wait for Anne to come back and tell us what to do." Then he would settle down and wait for you to return.

You said that you would have the ambulance at the hospital to take him home by 3:30 pm and you totally nailed it. You helped us give my Dad his wishes to go home one more time and for him to die at home. You helped me to calm and reassure my Mother that we could take him home and that it would be okay, but that if it was not working that we could always take him to inpatient hospice if needed. You helped to provide my entire family with the most beautiful way and time together for our very last time. Thank you for being a gift to my family because you helped us all to be together and truly spend the final days with my Dad while abiding by all of his wishes.

When Dad arrived home and was placed in his bed by the window, he became very calm and at peace. Lady, his dog hardly left his side. My family surrounded my Dad all the time and he was never left alone. There was always at least one person outside the window and at least one person in the room with him at all times. My Dad passed away with my Mother laying by his side and Lady between them, surrounded by all five children around him. This was the most beautiful miracle my eyes have seen, so thank you for helping us to all be together. And to keep my Dad safe, happy, and pain-free and for us to be able to carry out his wishes. You are truly a gift from God to assist people as they journey home to heaven while helping the family to have the time they need to grieve healthily while letting go of someone so special and loved. Thank you for being you and doing God’s work so perfectly for my Dad and my entire family. - God Bless You