I was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) at the beginning of 2025. This diagnosis came as a real shock to me, as Cancer did not run on either side of my family. I was really scared. From the first day I met Mikayla in our initial appointment at the Henry Ford Cancer Pavilion, I was impressed with her knowledge and her confidence that the recommended treatment plan could lead to a cure. She answered all my questions and my spouse's questions. During my 3 hospital stays, Mikayla was there for me every step of the way. She would visit me regularly. Mikayla did not just stand at the foot of my bed; she would pull up a chair, sit down, and talk to me.

When Mikayla talked to me, she made me feel like I was the only patient she had. In addition, after the doctors would make their rounds in the morning, Mikayla would sometimes come back and ask me if I needed any clarification on what was discussed earlier. These one-on-one visits with Mikayla made me feel special. She is a shining example of what a nursing professional should be. Someone who is compassionate, knowledgeable, and empathetic toward their patients. Thanks to Mikayla and the fine nurses who cared for me daily, I am entering the stem cell transplant phase of my treatment with confidence that I can beat this cancer diagnosis. Mikayla deserves any recognition you can give her, because she made a positive difference in my life and I'm sure in the lives of all her patients.