In 2019, I became very sick and was admitted to Baptist Health Louisville. Meredith was one of the first nurses who took care of me. Over my 95-day stay in the hospital, I got to know Meredith well. Her fun, loving personality made my long stay in the hospital so much better.

Meredith has many strengths, but one of the best things about her is her attention to detail. She always made sure I had clean supplies in my room, fresh water in my cup, and I never went a day without getting out of bed to walk around the unit or up in the chair. She always said “no blood clots or butt sores.” On hard days when I felt a little sad, Meredith always found a way to cheer me up. She would tell me a funny story or find another way to make me laugh. She brought in an over-the-door basketball goal and would play basketball with me in my room and she would even play phone games with me when she had time.

One night, Meredith and I were having a conversation about blue Jell-O. I told her I liked blue Jell-O, but never got that flavor on my tray. She went home that night, made blue Jell-O, and brought the Jell-O to me the next day. Meredith always stayed calm in stressful situations and would visit me on days when I didn’t have her as my nurse. She would even check in with me on her days off.

After 95 days, it was time for me to go home. Meredith was there to send me home. The nurses and nursing aides threw me a going home party. Tears rolled down my face the entire way home as I was going to miss her. We kept in contact once I left and while I was home recovering, I decided I was going to go to nursing school. She was one of the first people I told. She was one of those nurses who inspired me to pursue a nursing degree. She cheered me on the entire way through nursing school. Her small acts of kindness throughout my long health journey made the biggest difference in my life. One year later I went back for my last surgery. Meredith was there with a smile on her face ready to take care of me and she was there to send me home.

Today, I am a nurse on the same unit as Meredith and she is my preceptor. I am getting to see just how great of a nurse she is from a nurse's perspective instead of being the patient. Meredith is kind, funny, patient, and truly cares about the patients she takes care of. She has the biggest heart. She is never in a bad mood and makes each patient feel like they are her only patient. She advocates for her patients and is always willing to help other nurses. She is an amazing charge nurse, gives the best advice, and is a wonderful preceptor. I feel blessed to know her, have her as a friend, and now be a co-worker.