melissa garza, BSN, RN, CEN

On the night of Feb 16th, the temperature outside was about 5 degrees. The roads were treacherous. A cognitively delayed patient and his elderly mother were being discharged from the hospital with a long scary drive and expressed to Melissa that they were afraid their small car would not make it home. They were simply requesting blankets from Melissa so that they could keep warm while they slept in their car. They informed Melissa that they did not have the money to stay anywhere else. Melissa could not bear the thought of them being cold or having to sit in the ER lobby all night. She quickly rallied a few other nurses and came up with the money to gift them for a hotel room for the night. The patient and her son were extremely grateful for the generous gift, and I am sure they will not soon forget the kindness Melissa showed them on that arctic night.