Grace Rathgeber
September 2025
Grace
Rathgeber
,
BSN, RN
Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit
Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters
Norfolk
,
VA
United States
She included me in my son’s care, provided us a calming presence on her shift, created and maintained a therapeutic environment to promote healing for a lasting recovery, and went above and beyond in learning about my son and his needs.
My seven-month-old was admitted with a TBI as a result of non-accidental trauma while in another‘s care. It has been a long journey throughout multiple units that landed us the opportunity to meet Grace on the inpatient rehab unit. This nightmare has caused me an abundance of varying emotions, and a lack of trusting people I couldn’t have imagined. The care Grace provided to my son has been exemplary. She included me in my son’s care, provided us a calming presence on her shift, created and maintained a therapeutic environment to promote healing for a lasting recovery, and went above and beyond in learning about my son and his needs. Grace sought out and provided us with a Buzzy Bee (we had never heard of this before) to help reduce the painful needle sticks from Lovenox injections. He needs to receive these twice a day for the next six weeks or more. Grace has interacted with my son outside of performing her nursing duties. As his mom, that meant the world to me and showed me that she saw and really cared for my son! She provided me with many moments to vent and express my emotions concerning this life-altering tragedy. Grace is a kind, caring, compassionate, and knowledgeable young lady. On the days Grace was not assigned to his care, she would still stop by, even briefly, to say hello, check on us, and let us know she was still available if we needed anything. Grace’s colleagues also spoke highly of her as a person, her nursing care, and as a member of the team. I could continue to write about Grace and why she deserves to be recognized for being an extraordinary nurse! Grace will be remembered for the light she brought us in the dark tragedy, and I, along with my support system, would love to thank her from the bottom of our hearts. Grace is an asset to CHKD, the rehab unit, and the nursing field! With love and a thankful heart!