This is a nomination for a nurse I have only just met but who I instantly admired. I work in the ICU, and I had a patient who I could go on and on about because of his kind soul and gentle nature, but my predicament was that he was completely PEG tube dependent not just for nutrition but for medications as well due to a complete laryngectomy. Unfortunately, our facility did not have any compatible parts to attach to the PEG tube in order to make it usable. I called central supply to no avail and then the OR, where Heather was kind enough to bring up a few different parts that may have been compatible, but unfortunately, we had no luck. I asked my patient if perhaps he had family who could bring his extender from home while we figured this out, but unfortunately, his only family was his sweet wife, who is unable to drive and is very forgetful. Heather immediately said, "Well, can you ask if I can go to his house and get it?" no hesitation, no ruminating. She coordinated with this patient’s wife, who was very concerned that her husband had not been fed, and immediately set off to collect this extender. I should say, I was having an exceptionally busy and difficult day as my other patient was rapidly decompensating and becoming more critical by the minute.

She returned promptly with the extender and popped her head into said patient's room, stating, "By the way, I know you haven't sat down at all and probably haven't eaten, so I left you some soup and bread." Are you kidding me? I had never met Heather before, but I'd never forget her. This act of kindness to a patient whom she had never met, who was not even under her care, was extremely endearing to me because, in this process, she not only made sure that my patient was well cared for and able to receive nutrition and necessary medications but she alleviated some of the anxiety in a worried wife who was unable to be by a loved one's side due to a disability of her own. This demonstrated such profound empathy for this patient population that, unfortunately, heartbreakingly, they don't always have someone to turn to for extra help.

Heather also demonstrated to me that she is an exceptional team member not just by bringing me soup (SO NICE), but by taking an enormous weight off my shoulders by taking care of this patient whom I knew I wasn't able to give my full attention to in that moment. Thank you so much to Heather for not just being an amazing nurse but for being an awesome human!