M was involved in an auto accident (that was not her fault) in Valparaiso, Indiana. She was life-flighted to your hospital in the early evening hours. She had a lacerated spleen and was transferred to the MSIC unit. In the morning hours the following day, we were introduced to Lacy. She took immense time and care to introduce herself and explain to us what was going on.

At this point, M had undergone two emergency surgeries, coded twice, and was nonresponsive. We had to wait in the ICU waiting room while they attempted to stabilize her. Somehow, we all fell asleep. We had not slept since the morning of the day before. | woke up roughly two hours later and made my way to her room, alone. Once I entered her room, I was quickly overwhelmed by everything that I saw.

Lacy was the first nurse to see that I was in the back of the room crying. She came to me and allowed me to hug her and just sob. She offered so much support. She allowed me to ask questions, gave answers that I could understand, and let Dr. Bellister know that I was in the room.

Lacy stayed with me as Dr. Bellister explained the severity of the situation. Lacy again allowed me to cry on her shoulder, offering her thoughts, prayers, and comfort. It was then that | knew that we were past what M would want to have done to her. We wrote down some pertinent information that we could relay to M's brother, who is a physician in Michigan and was en route to the hospital. I left the room to get her sons, and we ultimately made the decision to stop all care and allow her to pass.

Once we returned, I voiced to everyone that we would like to stop all care. Lacy again came to all of us and offered many comforting words. Once treatment was stopped, she took care to suction her mouth, allowed us to watch the monitor, and let us know when she was gone. She asked if we needed anything and then allowed us time alone with her to grieve together.

We were with her for several hours after she passed due to a few outside factors that needed to be settled before we could leave. The things I would like to highlight about Lacy are that she showed M the utmost care, compassion, dignity, and respect throughout the whole process. Everything happened so quickly, and she went above and beyond to keep us not only informed but comforted as well.

As I watched her treat M and her actions towards us, I felt as if she were treating her as though M were her own mother. The thoughtfulness and compassion were above and beyond anything she was required to do. After M passed, she brought us in a small tub of drinks and snacks, answered the multitude of questions I had, and gently led me in the directions I needed to go (funeral home, possible autopsy as required by state, etc.). She never rushed us and was always more than willing to help us in any way.

In such a tragic situation for us, we could not have asked for a better nurse than Lacy. She is an asset to your hospital, and I know that she gives every patient the same care. We cannot thank her enough for everything she did for our family.

While a tragic situation, it was a pleasure to have met her and to be blessed by her compassion. Thank you for taking the time to read my nomination and allowing me to speak for our family. I know it's long, but I really wanted to stress how amazing your nurses are. I am honored to be able to nominate Lacy, and I can’t think of a better person to win this award.