Erin Moore Schwartze, RN, BSN

Erin, the ICU Director, went above and beyond to care for my family during my father-in-law’s hospitalization and at the end of his life. Her compassion, leadership, and humanity made an incredibly painful situation more bearable for all of us.

Erin recognized that my father-in-law was nearing the end of his life, and one of his greatest wishes was to see his grandsons. Because of ICU visitation restrictions, his grandsons — ages 9, 5, and 2 — would not normally have been allowed to visit. Erin immediately told my father-in-law that she would make it happen. She coordinated with the charge nurse and unit secretary to allow a brief visit so he could see his boys. That moment became an immeasurable gift to our family and is something we will never forget.

She also stood beside me and my mother-in-law after we received the devastating news that there was nothing further that could be done. She offered emotional support, compassion, and kindness during one of the hardest moments of our lives. Throughout his hospitalization, she continued checking in on us daily, making sure not only that my father-in-law was cared for, but that our family was too.

Even after his passing, Erin has continued to check on me whenever she sees me in the halls. That kind of compassion cannot be taught — it comes from a truly caring heart. Her leadership clearly extends throughout her team, because the ICU staff was second to none. They provided exceptional care, dignity, and compassion during a heartbreaking time and made an unbearable situation feel a little less heavy.

Erin’s care for our family will never be forgotten, and she is incredibly deserving of this recognition.