My Nana was recently admitted to CTSU on two separate occasions within a month of each other. On the first admission, Laura was her nurse on dayshift and cared for her with the utmost compassion. Laura talked to her about the upcoming surgery she would have and the results she could anticipate with tears in her eyes. Though impossible to see due to her mask, we could tell the huge smile she had and how she was so happy she would once again feel like herself.

Laura was one of the many who gave my Nana hope to keep fighting for a few more weeks. What she did not know was my Nana was feeling so terrible that she had started to give up and felt like there would never be relief. Fast forward a month later and we were so excited to see Laura was her nurse for her surgery.

My Nana was so happy to know that Laura and her caring heart would be by her side. The surgery was successful and everything went beautifully. Due to circumstances out of anyone’s control, including the doctors’ and surgeons’, my grandmother went into cardiac arrest the morning after surgery with Laura by her side along with my mother. Laura remained calm and immediately called for help. Rapidly, my Nana was taken to a procedure and I rushed to the hospital. I walked into the consultation room expecting to see my mother alone during the worst moments of her life but Laura was there by her side along with the Chaplain. Laura returned to her floor once I arrived.

Unfortunately, my Nana did pass despite all of the efforts. While my family was grieving I looked up to find Laura standing by the doorway after she heard the news. She went above and beyond not only for my Nana but also made sure my family had the support we needed along with many, many others. I am a nurse myself and repeatedly was blown away by the compassion Laura had from the first time we met her to my Nana’s last breaths. She inspired me to be a better nurse and to extend the same to my patients and their loved ones in all situations.