Hannah helped to take care of a 14-year-old patient who was in the terminal stages of her illness. The terminal nature of the patient’s condition was quite shocking to the family, especially the patient’s mother. As the patient continued to decline, and the staff continued to convey to the mom that her child was near the end of her life, the mother had multiple elevated events where she would be very angry and often blame the decline on staff.

Despite this incredibly challenging situation, Hannah continued to provide amazing care to both the patient and her mother. Hannah would comfort the patient after the escalations and was an amazing example of what it means to not only treat a patient but to take care of all aspects of their well-being. When the patient tragically passed away in the early morning hours, Hannah was the only one in the room and directly comforted her patient as she moved on from this life.

After the patient had died and the mother had returned, Hannah did an amazing job caring for the mother and helping her with the unimaginably difficult loss of her 14-year-old daughter. Hannah provided one of the best examples I have seen of what it means to be a good nurse. I would be truly honored if a nurse anywhere near her level of empathy, compassion, and skill cared for one of my loved ones in their last hours of life.

I could not think of someone more deserving of this award. She made my job as a physician easier, especially as the mother was expressing her frustration and grief. She provided a prime example of what it means to care for a dying child and their family.