Words cannot even begin to express my emotions and overwhelming gratitude that I have for Kelly Jones. I can only submit a story to explain why it means so much for me to nominate her.

For three years, I have been talking about her amazing skills without even knowing her name. I use her as an example of why I love Children's Mercy and what amazing things nurses do every day. Only recently did I find out her name, seek her out over her lunch break, and personally thank her for turning one of the worst days into a better day.

In April 2011, my dearest friend lost her five-year-old boy in a head-on auto collision on K-10. His sister, C, was in the seat next to him and suffered a fracture/dislocation of her cervical spine ring. She was transported quickly to Children's Mercy. A halo spine immobilizer was placed in the Operating Room, and C was admitted to the floor.

C was terrified and confused about what had happened. She would not let anyone but her mother touch her. She stayed in bed demanding the lights be out. Two days later, I offered to stay with C while the family attended her brother's funeral. She continued to be terrified, sore, and confused. I was desperate to comfort her in her mother's absence.

Kelly was assigned to C that day and introduced herself with a positive attitude and goals for the day. She wanted to wash C's hair and get her out of the dark room. After providing pain management, she insisted we take C (bed and all) to the play room for a few minutes. This simple act completely changed the day.

While in the playroom lying in her bed, C played with stickers and talked to the other children in the room. She saw a little boy who looked like her "Bubba," and she seemed to relax even more. Her fear transformed to joy in front of my eyes as C came out of her shell. Within two hours, C was up in a wheelchair and touring the unit for the first time all because of this extraordinary nurse and the wonderful team on this unit!

When C's family came back to an empty room, they searched the hallways. Their reunion is one of my most treasured memories. Upon seeing one another, C yelled, "Momma! I had the BEST DAY!"

Kelly is truly an angel in scrubs. This small act of going out of her way made such a difference. C went from being completely immobile, to being discharged within twenty four hours. Thank you Thank you Thank you!!

Kelly Jones is an intelligent, diligent, highly empathetic, nurturing person of extraordinary competence. She's the best!