All of the staff that we encountered at Ascension St. Vincent Women’s Hospital had a service-first attitude. My daughter was a first-time mother when she presented to the labor and delivery department for her labor induction. With induction and as a first-time mother, her labor was very long and tedious. 24 hours after the induction began things had not progressed much at all.

My daughter’s fear, anxiety level, and frustration were beginning to increase and she began having feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy. At this point, it seemed that no matter how much encouragement that her husband and I tried to bestow on her, it wasn’t well received. In walked Lynette Troyer, RN. She was heaven sent! As my daughter sat on one of the large balls, with tears in her eyes, Lynette pulled up a chair and sat directly in front of her. She held her hands, and very calmly and patiently explained to her that what she was feeling was completely normal for first-time mothers who were induced. She told her she was a very strong and amazing woman and mother and she could do this. She explained that she had some of the same feelings when she was in labor and that every woman has a completely different experience. Her reassurances seemed to calm my daughter because they came to her with such heartfelt sincerity.

Lynette and the doctor discussed letting my daughter take a break. She was allowed to shower, eat, and “reset” her mind to continue on with her labor. As an RN with 44 years of clinical experience, I was so impressed with the compassion that Lynette showed to my daughter. She was calm, reassuring, encouraging, and kind. I have always felt that the best nurses were those who had the “calling” to be a nurse. From the compassion that Lynette showed, I definitely knew she had the “calling” to be a nurse and serve others.

While Lynette was in the room, I asked Lynnette about her own children. She said that she had one baby boy who was in heaven. After learning this, I was in complete awe of the compassion that Lynette was showering on my daughter. Lynette’s compassion took on a higher level to me when I thought of the courage it took to work with expectant mothers every day after suffering her own loss in motherhood.

Lynnette is the epitome of what the DAISY Award represents demonstrating extraordinary compassion. She truly went above and beyond in the care provided for my daughter and for that I am truly thankful. Ascension St. Vincent Women’s Labor and Delivery is very blessed to have such an extraordinary nurse caring for their patients.