Lainey Schneider, BSN, RN

My husband was hospitalized while we were vacationing in Florida when he became very, very sick. The doctors and nursing staff worked diligently to try to get my husband stable enough to be transported back to our home state, but his heart, kidneys, and lungs had had enough. It became very evident that the trip back home was not meant to be.

The process of palliative care was started with my husband passing in the department. Prior to his death, my husband tried to write me a note, but because of all of the IV tubes in his arms as well as the swelling in his hands, it was very difficult for him to write the note. I received a paper with my husband's attempt at writing the note on one side, and on the other side was this nurse's interpretation of what the note said. There was another note in the nurse's handwriting that my husband had dictated to them to give to our son to bring back to me.

After my husband's passing and my return, instead of entering our house empty, there was a beautiful bouquet of flowers greeting me along with a beautiful note this nurse helped my husband write. The words "Thank You" can't even begin to express what I felt and continue to feel upon my return home. It must have been very important for my husband to write this, and this nurse helped grant his wish. From the deepest part of my heart, I will be forever thankful for this person's generous gift not only to me but to my husband. On behalf of my husband and his family, Lainey, you are an extraordinary nurse and very deserving of this award.