Attached is a word of praise for Melissa and all of the leadership. I understand it does give personal details about my own mental health struggles, but I think it's important to share to help break down the stigma associated with mental health needs.

In March my life changed forever. I was driving to Chapel Hill to pick up my only child, G, a freshman at Chapel Hill for her first college spring break. On the road, I received a call from a physician at Duke Medical Center stating that my daughter was there and I needed to come quickly. Panicked, I called my immediate family, my best friend, and then I called my nurse manager, Melissa Gregg. Melissa asked me to pull over and said that she would be right there to drive me to Durham to see my child. Although I knew that would have been the safest and smartest decision, I was desperate to get to my daughter, so I continued my drive. I arrived to find my daughter brain-dead and on life support. Since the moment of that phone call, I have had to live every mother's worst nightmare. Although I had no prior history of mental illness I now struggle with depression and even had to be hospitalized for suicidal ideation. Six months later, with medication and weekly therapy, I am grateful to share I am on a consistent path to surviving my new normal.

Despite what happened, I know that I have much to be grateful for. One of the people who has been instrumental in my recovery is Melissa Gregg. She and the entire team for Women's Health have gone above and beyond to ensure that I had the support I needed to begin recovery and even worked with my family when I was incapacitated (with my permission, of course) to see that the necessary paperwork was completed to ensure I had the time off I needed. She has continually checked in and helped develop a graduated schedule for return that has made for a successful return to work. Her consistent compassion and care truly made all the difference when I was at my most vulnerable and broken, and I would like to recognize her for truly demonstrating the ideals of great leadership that make Atrium Health a wonderful place to work.

My family would also like to share: "Both of your bosses went above and beyond the basic responsibilities required of someone in a large corporate leadership position and human resources role. You practice care and compassion for your staff. It was genuine and heartfelt. At the absolute worst moment of an employee's life, you communicated clearly and calmly and put L's immediate needs above all else. That was when our family, with zero prior interactions with Atrium Health, knew that L works for a very special hospital system with extraordinary management."