My wife underwent major jaw surgery that required her mouth and jaw to be wired shut. As you know, the typical 5A patient is orthopedic, so she was an unusual and challenging case. After arriving on 5A, she found the swelling and pain to be extreme, breathing was very difficult due to the nasal bleeding and everything was further complicated by the jaw being wired shut. Our first night in the room was very difficult and my wife was frustrated and uncomfortable. She woke up very discouraged and unrested.

The morning we met Dawn my wife's pain and discomfort was still increasing. Very quickly Dawn assessed the situation and communicated compassion and a desire to move mountains to bring comfort to her. Dawn quickly took inventory of the symptoms and interpreted the physician instructions. Immediately she contacted the physician to address medicinal needs.

In my view, comfort and healing began when Dawn entered our lives. Dawn didn't stop there! She took it upon herself to swab out nasal passages and removed the clotted blood that had prevented her breathing. Dawn then began to clean up the dried blood on her face and body, bringing hygiene and dignity back to a hurting woman. Dawn also facilitated us in obtaining a private room, making me more comfortable since I never left my wife's side because of her inability to speak. I am eternally grateful for this! Once we were settled in the room, and she was cleaned up and medicated, the look of relief and descending sleep on my wife's face made me cry. I cried because I was seeing my wife rest peacefully and because I was overwhelmed by Dawn's compassion and kindness.

Dawn overcame the challenges of caring for a patient with eyes swollen shut from trauma, a jaw wired shut, bleeding nasal passages, ribs removed, and facial swelling, and did it with kindness, patience and professionalism. Beyond the direct benefits that we received from Dawn's care, we observed countless interactions in which Dawn shared information with the team. We were thankful when she was present during the physician rounding as her input was so valuable in my wife's overall treatment and care.

Christine was not the typical patient on the orthopedic floor, but Dawn showed an extraordinary ability for creative thinking, problem solving and compassion. We expected good care from the University of Michigan Hospital, but Dawn was an unexpected blessing and was the right person at the right time in our moment of greatest need. We firmly believe that my wife's outcomes improved exponentially because of what Dawn provided in those days. When we think about this difficult surgery and life event, it is Dawn that we will remember and we thank God for her.