Cassie is amazing! I recently delivered our 5th child. I was considered a high risk pregnancy due to a prior delivery at 22 weeks with loss of our twins, a preterm delivery at 34 weeks of our daughter, and my "advanced maternal age." This pregnancy was wrought with increased anxiety, and fear of another preterm delivery and/or fetal loss. At 17 weeks, we experienced a significant bleed. I was seen in the ER at IU West and after hours of continued bleeding was admitted to the Labor unit. I was beside myself with worry about why we were bleeding, the health of the baby, risks of fetal loss, etc. It was my worst nightmare unfolding again. I've been a nurse for 20 years, a Nurse Practitioner for 17 years, and unfortunately this was a time where having medical knowledge was detrimental. I knew "too much" and the worry was beyond measure.

Cassie was assigned to take care of us that day. She was compassionate, willing to stay the extra time and listen to my fears, and her knowledge base was reassuring. She made such an impact that I thought of her throughout the rest of my pregnancy and continued to feel her kind words and reassurance. When we came in for delivery months later, I inquired if she was still working there and made a mental note to say hi. The next day, surprise, Cassie was our nurse! Again she was spectacular in caring for our newborn and my husband and me.

When our 8- and 10-year-old children came in to see their new brother, Cassie took extra time to educate them on newborn care. My 8-year-old daughter still talks about the nurse that taught her how to swaddle her baby brother. Cassie also was there step-by-step guiding our children in giving their brother his first bath, memories that will always be with us.

When she went home for the evening I hoped we would see her again the next day. But unfortunately, she was not assigned to us the following day. That day I had a complication and after her shift she came in, on her own time, and spent a long time connecting with us, educating us, calming my fears. Cassie is one in a million. She is the nurse that we all hope is there to care for our loved one, to be there in our time of need, to advocate for us. She played an amazing role in relaxing this mama, allowing our baby to get much closer to term, and then in welcoming him and continuing with our care as if months hadn't passed in between. Her compassion reminds me of a long time friend.

Cassie, you are amazing! Thanks for your hard work, dedication, and gentle soul.