Annika Biegler, BSN, RN, CEN

In August, I sustained a C-Z neck fracture, fractures to three of my ribs, and a collapsed lung from a motorcycle accident. When I arrived at Sanford Health’s Emergency center via Life link our flight, I heard a noise and saw a nurse with a mask on say “Hey, this name is familiar, I think I know her”. She came in front of me and pulled down her mask, and said K? And is this buster’s (my chow chow) K? And then I could see it was Annika Biegler smiling at me. I can’t even begin to describe what a sense of relief it was to have someone I recognized at that point in time. It brought such joy and calm to my heart. Not only had she already done a 12-hour shift, but she had also made the choice to stay and see me through that critical time. I was confident that Annika cared so much about my comfort and healing, and it made me glad to be there. Not only that, but I was later moved to the 5th floor, and the following evening, after her usual shift, she found me in my room and came to see how I was doing and visited for an hour before going home. She has finally elevated my appreciation and respect for nurses everywhere.