My mother-in-law was admitted to Baystate Medical Center almost a month ago. Throughout her stay we were blessed to have so many caring, smart and compassionate nurses on D6B and HVCC as well as the ED, OR, and procedural units. My mother-in-law was an independent, funny, very active woman prior to this sudden illness. As a nurse, it was a challenge to be on the other side of healthcare. She was admitted with sepsis and many of her organs were affected. After a few weeks of antibiotics, she ended up with a mitral valve replacement and double bypass surgery. It was in the HVCC that our family met Dan. Dan communicated everything that was happening in terms laypeople could understand. His compassion was evident in the way he interacted with our family. It was obvious that this was a critical situation and that Dan was very experienced and knowledgeable about the medications and other treatments she was receiving. He was an advocate for her when she needed it most. His demeanor and use of humor put our family at ease in this very trying time. We felt as though we could go home and rest knowing she was in good hands. It was so overwhelming and nerve-wracking to see her that way but the comfort he provided will never be forgotten. After he had a few days off, Dan even stopped in to see how she was doing and spent time talking with her and our family which meant so much. Overall, Dan is an excellent asset to the HVCC. His passion for caring for critically ill patients was evident. His expertise in this specialty is a reason she survived after surgery.