Caitlin McCoy, RN

During my hospital stay, I went through some of the hardest days of my life. I was admitted with a GI bleed that left me severely anemic, and I needed multiple blood transfusions to help bring my levels back to normal. I was also starting new treatments, including my first infusion of Remicade, and preparing to switch from IV medications to oral ones so I could finally go home. It was overwhelming, scary, and exhausting.

Through all of this, Caitlin stood out as someone who truly cared about me—not just my labs or my chart, but me as a person. She explained every step of my care in ways I could understand, whether it was what to expect during a transfusion, how my medications would change, or what the next phase of treatment would look like. She never rushed through my questions, no matter how many I had, and she made sure I felt included in decisions about my care.

What meant the most was how she noticed the little things. She saw when my hands trembled with fear and stayed by my side until I calmed down. She recognized when I was too tired to advocate for myself and gently encouraged me to speak up anyway. She even found ways to make me smile—sharing stories, lightening the mood, and reminding me that strength isn’t about pretending not to be scared, but about facing hard things with courage.

Her compassion turned moments of fear into moments of hope. She made me feel safe when I was at my most vulnerable, respected when I felt powerless, and cared for in a way that went far beyond medical treatment. I will never forget how she helped me through those long days in the hospital and how she gave me the courage to keep moving forward.

 She embodies what nursing is meant to be—skill, patience, and extraordinary compassion that changes lives. She didn’t just take care of me; she made me feel seen, valued, and strong.