May 2026 Honoree
Madisun Bunker, RN, BSN
I am in the ER a lot for a 15-year-old.
The first time I had Madisun as my nurse, I was in the ER with a severe POTS flare caused by mutated pertussis. At that point, we had not found anyone who truly understood how to work with POTS. Madisun took the time to write down the contact information for someone who could help, and that simple act made all the difference.
After many difficult ER visits because of my chronic illnesses, including hEDS, I was terrified of returning to St. Mary's Hospital for a mental health crisis. By chance, Madisun was my nurse again.
She stayed by my side when my parents were unable to be positive or helpful that night. She remained with me until I was medically cleared and ready to transition to the psychiatric side of my care. During one of the hardest moments of my life, she made sure I never felt alone.
Before meeting Madisun, I was terrified of the emergency room because of everything I had experienced with my chronic illnesses. It had gotten to the point where, even during potentially life-threatening medical emergencies, I would refuse to call 911. I would simply hope that I would either die peacefully or somehow recover on my own rather than face another fight to be heard by doctors and nurses.
Madisun changed that.
She became my voice when mine wasn't loud enough. She listened, advocated for me, and reminded me that there are healthcare professionals who truly care. Because of her, I am no longer afraid to ask for help.
I don't normally type this much because of the pain I live with every day, but someone as kind as Madisun deserves a nomination far longer than this.
Thank you for taking my fear and turning it into hope.
The first time I had Madisun as my nurse, I was in the ER with a severe POTS flare caused by mutated pertussis. At that point, we had not found anyone who truly understood how to work with POTS. Madisun took the time to write down the contact information for someone who could help, and that simple act made all the difference.
After many difficult ER visits because of my chronic illnesses, including hEDS, I was terrified of returning to St. Mary's Hospital for a mental health crisis. By chance, Madisun was my nurse again.
She stayed by my side when my parents were unable to be positive or helpful that night. She remained with me until I was medically cleared and ready to transition to the psychiatric side of my care. During one of the hardest moments of my life, she made sure I never felt alone.
Before meeting Madisun, I was terrified of the emergency room because of everything I had experienced with my chronic illnesses. It had gotten to the point where, even during potentially life-threatening medical emergencies, I would refuse to call 911. I would simply hope that I would either die peacefully or somehow recover on my own rather than face another fight to be heard by doctors and nurses.
Madisun changed that.
She became my voice when mine wasn't loud enough. She listened, advocated for me, and reminded me that there are healthcare professionals who truly care. Because of her, I am no longer afraid to ask for help.
I don't normally type this much because of the pain I live with every day, but someone as kind as Madisun deserves a nomination far longer than this.
Thank you for taking my fear and turning it into hope.
Thank you, Madisun, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
View More Honorees