On November 8th of 2011, I was admitted to the Labor & Delivery Unit of St. Elizabeth's Hospital for what I imagined would be a routine c-section. After the birth of our healthy baby girl, my heart rate was erratic and required me to be placed under observation in the cardiac unit below. I did not want to be separated from my new baby and miss out on the important bonding that occurs between a mother and her child in those first hours. While in the cardiac unit, Jessica Svirbly, the nurse assigned to my room understood my disappointment without me having to say a word. Although she was NOT a Labor & Delivery nurse or from the Mother and Baby Unit - she is a mother, and understood what I needed beyond my physical-medical needs.

The exceptional tender care and attention that she provided during my stay on the cardiac floor was unexpected and special beyond words. Once I was released from bed rest in the early evening - and nearing the ending of her shift-she took the initiative to call the Doctor and asked if she could take me upstairs to the nursery to see my baby. At 7:30 pm that same day, she and the intern assigned to her, Lauren, arranged for transport to take me to see my daughter for the 1st time since she was born. I was so deeply touched by her care and understanding that had nothing to do with her job, but with her character as a compassionate person who wanted to help heal my mental state, not just my physical body.

She recognized that there's much more to patient care that machines and diagnosis. It is with great appreciation for her exceptional care that we would like to nominate Jessica for The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.