I’m not a big constituent of praising someone for doing the job they were hired to do. But when a teammate goes above and beyond, it must not go unnoticed. I’m writing to you today to tell you the impact Kathy McLary had on my dad’s life. I drove my dad to the doors of Atrium Health Cabarrus Emergency Department with COVID difficulties. I said goodbye from the door. As an Atrium Health employee, I knew what my restrictions would be. “Let me know when you’re ready for me to pick you up,” I said as I waved to him and watched them roll him back to the ED. Little did I know it would be 3 weeks until I saw his face again. After one week on the COVID unit fighting for breath, he was placed in ICU and ventilated. So many wonderful nurses spent countless hours treating my dad, keeping the family updated by phone, and telling us about his condition. I will forever be grateful. This year has brought so much change to us all as an organization. You must be proud of the tireless work your COVID nurses are doing day in and day out making sure our patients’ needs are met. But one nurse made sure MY needs and the needs of my family were met. Nurse “Kathy”, Kathy McLary worked countless hours not only saving my dad’s life and his spirits but worked endlessly to save the spirits of his family. Your ICU nurses face many challenges treating COVID, but they are also perfecting the invaluable art of treating helpless family members who cannot be bedside. I remember the day Kathy called to tell me my dad was going to be ventilated. I was driving to the airport already bawling after my mom forwarded the text my dad struggled to type that day: “It’s been a good life. Take care of each other. I love G.” Instead of telling ME to call all the family, Kathy took down every number, called them all individually, and set up a FaceTime for all 10 of us. We were able to say, “I love you.” We were able to say, “I’ll take care of mom.”. We were able to say, “Rest. We will be okay.” You see, these little gestures may not change the outcome of treatment, which of course is our number one goal as healthcare workers. But these gestures impact the well-being of the family members unable to enter the doors of our facilities at this time. She improved health and elevated hope not just for my dad but for us all as a family. She was our “surrogate” family member. She spent extra time, making sure my dad had all he needed - a longer charging cord for his phone, peppermints, and Sprite to coat his throat. She held his hand and calmed his breathing while watching the Liberty football game. At the time, my sister was due to get married in December. I only told Kathy once, but she remembered the wedding date. She would continue to whisper the date in his ear to remind dad what he was fighting for and to give him hope. She met us out at the entrance to pick up cards and balloons and took a picture of us from the car to share with dad. She did everything she could to keep dad off the ventilator. But dad’s breathing deteriorated. Dad was on a ventilator for three weeks. During that time, she would not only set up FaceTime visits so we could see him and he could hear us, but she would remain in the room holding the iPad, showing us the room, rubbing his head, and encouraging him to move a bit so we knew he could hear us. She would call just to ask me about me. She asked about family dynamics, who was ok, who isn’t, and called each one of us by name. She promised me when the next contact time would be. You see, all this is the only lifeline COVID families have. It’s the only way we stay calm. My dad has five grandsons. Three days before dad was sedated and intubated, one of his grandsons FaceTimed Dad to tell him he will be a “Great” for the first time. (In our family that’s what we call great grandfathers). He recorded Dad’s reaction from the hospital bed on his phone and was able to share it with my mom when he told her the news a few days later. It did her heart good. Thank God for technology. Thank you for having plenty of it in the ICU. And thank God for Atrium Health nurses like Kathy McLary. My dad lost his battle with Covid. My sister and I were able to say goodbye bedside as he passed. And yes, Kathy was there holding us up and helping us through it. Thank you Kathy McLary and all the Atrium Health Cabarrus ICU teammates for the commitment to each and every patient you’ve served during this past year!