I am honored and humbled to share my family's experience of my uncle's last hospital stay at BSA. He was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease mostly medically managed by an out-of-state clinic; however, BSA was his hospital of choice due to the excellent care he received when he was admitted during the many challenges, he fought over the last several years.

The care my uncle received during each of these stays was outstanding, but the care he received on the last day of his life impacted my family the most. This last year my uncle fought a gallant fight. He fought for his family. They fought for him. On his final day, my uncle's physician notified his wife that this was his last fight. His body was tired. He was tired. My uncle was admitted into ICU.

Our nurse was Autumn. I say "our nurse" because that particular day, she had 40 other patients all of whom were our family. Daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and so many others of varying ages displaying different outlets of grief. She was OUR nurse. There is no way we made Autumn's job easy that day. In fact, I know we made it quite harder. Autumn had her own patient load outside of my uncle and our family. Not once did she portray that this was difficult for her. Not once did she fail to administer outstanding care to my uncle even with the challenges, we placed upon her that day. 

Autumn remained the utmost professional while demonstrating the utmost empathy. The monitor was picking up my uncle's pacemaker, but not his heart rate. Notifying his wife first, Autumn swiftly took her in her arms and held her. It was the most genuine display of empathy. Autumn was sad for our family. She is part of our family now. Thank you BSA Hospital for the care you've given my uncle over the years, but a special thank you goes to Autumn Shoemake. She is a stellar representative of this hospital and of the nursing profession overall.