Eleanor Pugh, BSN, RN

I was hospitalized at Children’s for almost 3 months because of an eating disorder. I went into it terrified and not knowing what to expect. But as time passed, I made a lot of meaningful relationships. It was so much easier to recover mentally and physically with the support of staff. During my stay, Ellie always had a positive attitude and smile on her face. She put her patients' needs first. I was afraid of receiving judgment because of having a mental health diagnosis in a medical hospital but she treated me as a human. I wasn’t a label. She didn’t make me feel like I didn’t need to be there or like I was wasting their time. She helped me make bracelets, listened, laughed, talked with me, and did anything she could to make me comfortable. She cried with me, she reassured me, she hugged me. She wasn’t a robot or just there to give me medication and take vitals. She showed compassion and vulnerability. Hospitals are known for being a dark and scary place but her bubbly personality overruled. Her light shines through any darkness. She went above and beyond and did more than what was asked of her. She took exceptional care of me on a medical and emotional level. Considering she is a night shift nurse, I believe this was worth recognizing because I didn’t have as much interaction and the environment is subject to change around these times! I’m grateful for the time spent with such amazing nurses who took care of me and treated me with respect.