Leah Friday, BSN, RN

C was almost 29 years old when he was brought to the ICU after being in an ATV accident. It was clear that C would not recover from his injuries. When it was determined that C was brain dead, Donor Alliance had been called in, and family and friends would need to say their good-byes. Leah was the nurse in the room for the day. Countless family members and friends went in and out of C's room all day long. Leah was a rock. She continued to care for C, talk to him, treat him with respect and honor; at the same time, Leah answered questions, asked to see pictures of C, and met each visitor to the room where they were in their own state of grief. It is clear to me that Leah was not only caring for C but, in her own way, caring for each person who walked in the room. It is a hard road, helping others in their grief. I imagine that as a nurse, the wins of full recovery help sustain you through burnout, and this particular situation had the potential to take you one step closer to burnout and fatigue, and yet Leah was there. I am so appreciative that Leah was in the room this day; her presence helped an entire family say goodbye.