At the beginning of 2025, my significant other became infected with blood poisoning and had a stroke.  He is young, but had also been struggling with relapse. So this was devastating, unexpected, and terrifying for him. Not to mention the stigma that comes with the territory of this situation.  Depression doesn't even begin to describe where he was at mentally when he got to the sixth floor of St. Vincent's. He spent two months on this unit getting an antibiotic treatment.  Most of the nurses did their job. Few went above their job title to frequently get him up and walking occasionally to prepare him for when he would be released. When he got to the unit he had minimal function of his right hand and zero function of his right leg. Cordelia, who we learned was a new nurse, went above and beyond her responsibilities.. not occasionally.. not frequently.. but every time she worked. She never made him feel less than, or unimportant, due to the nature of his diagnosis. She never let him give up hope. She showed up, every shift. She reminded him of his progress and how strong he is. She took the time out of her day to walk with him, every shift. She was gentle, she was funny,  she was firm. She made sure he knew that she saw the value in him as a human. She made him feel capable and worthy of not only physical recovery, but recovery from addiction. 

Cordelia brings hope and inspiration not only to her patients but also to the caregivers.  She made C feel like a human. And not a burden, like many of the other nurses frequently made him feel. When others were asked for a shower, a walk, or to use the restroom would occasionally seem frustrated, Cordelia would tend to C with compassion and patience.  She would even come to the unit when she was working in other areas when he was having a bad day, just to remind him that he wasn't alone, always offering a popsicle along with support, kindness, optimism, and a simple smile.

I have been working in Healthcare for five years and have never met someone I believe was made for a nursing title more than Cordelia. She frequently left me sobbing with gratitude, and I will never be able to appropriately express to her how much her kindness changed the course of our future. I firmly believe that the remarkable progress C made over the two months he spent on her unit was possible due to the mindset she instilled, the positive aura she radiated, and the compassion and patience she freely gave him. I am so, so appreciative of her, and I know C is as well.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart,  for a job beyond well done. This family has you to thank. An eleven-year-old gets her father back. I get the love of my life back, and he gets a second shot at life. The impact you had on that is unmatched.