You’ve heard of “The Widow Maker” - the massive heart attack that makes widows of almost 90% of women whose husbands suffer from it. My 50-year-old husband, J, was bombarded with such an attack. He survived this cruel onslaught due to the efforts of hundreds of individuals.

One of those incredible people is Coronary Care Unit RN Kristi Davis. Kristi was J’s nurse for the first several day shifts during his stay at Brookwood Baptist Medical Center. These were the critical, touch-and-go days, where every decision and action on the part of healthcare professionals affected the outcome of J’s battle with the “The Widow Maker.” She was always calm and efficient and explained thoroughly the intricate details of the events as they were unfolding.

After we got over the initial hump, she even took an extra shift just to be sure that J received care from a familiar face. As she took the time to get to know J, he promptly felt safe and comforted in her care. It is quite evident that this profession is Kristi’s calling; she is meant to be a cardiac care nurse. Through the tireless efforts, adamant advocacy, patient service, and tender compassion shown by Kristi during such a tense, critical time period should be recognized and celebrated. With every bit of her hard work, Kristi exuded confidence, poise, and tenderness toward J and our family and friends.

Quite frankly, I know J is alive today in large part because of the care he received in those early days in the CCU. And who was a major part of that amazing care? Kristi Davis. Because of her, this husband and wife are not another casualty of the “The Widow Maker.” We have been given the gift of more time to love and live a meaningful life together.