May 2022
Erin
Winkler
,
RN
Women's Care Center
Aurora Sinai Medical Center
Milwaukee
,
WI
United States
She checked back in on me on my discharge date to give me another hug and celebrate my son's progress.
My son had unexpected respiratory failure at birth and was taken to the NICU. I had received an epidural and couldn't walk yet, so I couldn't go with him. I was scared and upset, and Erin brought the NICU nurse in to talk with me and then suggested my husband go to the NICU to Facetime me so I could see him. During the call - with no warning and while I was alone with only Erin, the NICU doctor said he suspected my son had Down Syndrome. We did not expect this, and the doctor did not try to soften the blow. I was alone for the worst moment of my life, and Erin dropped everything to wrap me in a hug and try to console me. She brought me to the NICU as soon as she could and told me about her own NICU babies. She got me one of my son's used blankets to keep when I had to leave him to receive antibiotics. She checked back in on me on my discharge date to give me another hug and celebrate my son's progress. She is the kindest, most compassionate person I have ever met, and I could never thank her enough for doing so much to help me. She is truly wonderful.