Megan began her career with MCCG as a nurse extern and has grown into a very skilled, competent, and compassionate nurse. She serves not only as charge nurse on C3M but she has become an informal leader and a mentor each and every shift she works. She is a sought after nurse preceptor for nurse externs and new graduate nurses. She has developed into a very talented teacher and often receives request from preceptees to work with her.

Megan maintains a can-do attitude and influences those around her with her infectious smile. She is always the first one to offer to take another patient and is consistently asking her co-workers "Can I do something for you?" She embodies the traits of professionalism, compassion, and excellence every day. While she makes a daily difference in many of her patients' lives, she made a significant difference recently in the life of one her patient's family.

This story involves a baby who was 6 days post op. The baby did well during and immediately following the surgery but began to decline several days later. It became necessary to transfer the baby to the Pediatric ICU; however, within 20 minutes of the transfer, the baby coded and was placed on a ventilator. Although the baby was no longer in her direct care, she continued to check on the baby's status and the well-being of the mother. It soon became apparent that the baby would not survive. The baby's mother had made mention that she wished her own mother was with her during this terrible time. The nurse took this request to heart and made flight arrangements for the patient's grandmother to come from her home in the north to be by her daughter's side.

Megan continued to demonstrate her compassion for this patient and the family by asking her own father-in-law, a pastor, to pray with the family. Despite all the team's best efforts, the baby died. Upon learning of the baby's passing, Megan called to comfort the mother and grandmother. The family was so moved by her actions and those of her father-in-law, that they requested he conduct the baby's funeral services. Megan not only took excellent care of the baby while he was in her direct care, but extended this care to the patient's community.

These acts of kindness by Megan demonstrate extraordinary care that makes a real difference in the lives of patients and their families. She truly exemplifies professional excellence and compassion that extends beyond what is commonplace. She is an asset to the Children's Hospital and the Medical Center of Central Georgia.