Nurse Kristen Ybanez is one of the most amazing nurses I have ever met. My daughter and I began our journey at TCH back in July after we transferred her treatment from Georgia. Since then, Nurse Kristen has gone above and beyond the call of duty to make a difference, not just in our lives, but the lives of all her patients. There has not been a time we have come to the hospital, and Nurse Kristen was not smiling or doing funny things to make a child smile. Whether it is a comforting hug, kind words, or simply running to get tissue to wipe your eyes and blow your nose after an emotional day.

Nurse Kristen means the world to my daughter and me. No one likes to get poked with needles, especially as often as my daughter and the other brave and amazing children on the HEM/ONC floor, but Nurse Kristen makes our time in HEM/ONC as comfortable and as fun as she can. It does not matter where we are on the floor; Nurse Kristen finds us. My daughter looks for her favorite nurse every time we come. My daughter's anxiety is always peaked when she is accessed, but when she sees Nurse Kristen, it is a sense of calm that comes over her. Oftentimes, when my daughter struggles to get access, she calls out for Kristen, and just like the amazing nurse she is (if she is not tending to a patient), Kristen comes with the biggest smile, greatest dance moves, and comforting hugs. It is hard to depict just one specific patient situation where Kristen delivered excellent care because she does it EVERY time, not just with us but everyone. Kristen is always available to lend a helping hand to her colleagues and ensures she is always available to meet the needs of the HEM/ONC floor in ALL capacities.

My daughter and I were admitted to the hospital a few weeks ago, and when it was time to reaccess my daughter's port, it was a struggle. My daughter's port area was swollen, and she was poked about three different times. Of course, my daughter called for Nurse Kristen. Unfortunately, she was unable to answer as she was tending to another patient in need, but she definitely called back, ready and willing to do whatever needed to be done. When we come for labs, if Kristen is available, she comes to draw the blood to alleviate any trauma or anxiety my daughter may have.

Because of her, days that would normally be long and gruesome are tolerable and not as painful. I can't begin to describe what Kristen means not only to my daughter but to everyone on the 14th floor. I truly hope and pray you all find Nurse Kristen Ybanez as deserving of this award as I do. With her, our time in HEM/ONC is always a little bit brighter.