On a cold day in December, I found myself in your emergency room with what I thought was a stroke. Unfortunately, because of COVID, I was nervous, scared, and alone. Your emergency room was much like other area hospitals, very full and busy with standing room only; in fact, you were so busy I had to stay in your emergency room for over 24 hours until there was a bed available upstairs. Although this award is to recognize a compassionate loving nurse, I feel you must understand part of the unpleasant journey in order to completely understand what she gave to me. As someone who was there to rule out stroke, I had left-sided weakness and a little slurred speech; they sent me quickly to have a CT scan. I’m certain the poor CT technician was tired and busy and inadvertently forgot to explain that the dye that was inserted in my IV would make me feel warm and like I was urinating on myself. So when I started to experience those things, I instantly began panicking, believing that my stroke was getting worse and that I was dying, there all alone. I began to yell at the technician in terror, and they merely stated I needed to lay still so they could complete the test, ignoring my plea for help. So I did as instructed and laid very still and just prayed that God would help me, which he did. When I finally got back to my room, my little nurse Emily entered and instantly noticed the fear in my eyes. She grabbed my hand, helping to settle all of my fears, explaining the “Dye” side effects and that she would not let anything happen to me. I truly believe that God sent her to me that night. She was my angel. She gave me the strength to get through the remainder of my time there at Henrico Doctors. She was so kind and compassionate, and although I know she was busy, she made me feel as though she was caring for no one but me. She is exactly what everyone wants as a nurse. You are very lucky to have her.