Our loving father came to the emergency room for a heart attack, was admitted shortly after and underwent a triple bypass surgery. A few days after his surgery, unfortunately, suffered from another episode that put him into cardiac arrest. Thank you to all the medical staff who worked swiftly to bring him back to us. He was then put on ECMO. Our first approved visit to the hospital to see him, I've met Candace. At first, we were not as interactive with her as she was, and we saw her busy keeping our father comfortable and stable after such an event he experienced. She did short check-ins with us throughout our visit. What stood out the most for our family was her genuine compassion for what we were all going through. She took the time to console whichever one of us she could, comfort us, talk with an advocate for us and our father. With all the information that was coming to us, and decisions being pushed on us from other medical staff, she took it upon herself to ask us when we felt, how she could help communicate that to best advocate our family's wishes. She stayed past her shift to bring in the last doctor that shifted the continuation of his care here. 

Today, while we've dealt with a lot of medical teams here, everyone has been so great! But, it was Candace that stood out the most to us. Today, we are here at Kaiser to let my father rest as he can no longer continue on. By God's grace we were blessed to have her on this day, his last day with us. Today specially, we are reminded why she is so amazing. Thank you so so much Candace for being so understanding, accommodating, and loving to our family while we say our goodbye to my father who is also a loving husband, brother Papa (grandpa). You are what every nurse should embody: your skill, but most importantly, your compassion for patients and families. We appreciate all your efforts in allowing us to love and grieve for our father.