My mother and father, both 73, were taken to the Emergency Department at Mercy Medical Center - North Iowa. My Mother had experienced what we later learned was a pulmonary embolism, and while trying to help avoid letting her fall and hit her head on the tile and cement floor, my father tried to lift my mother up and inadvertently pulled her onto him, causing them both to fall and him to break his hip. While my mother was treated in trauma and coded a number of times before a number of amazing medical workers were able to keep her heart going, an incredible nurse named Moriah Stewart was taking care of my father, who was in significant physical pain due to his hip and emotional pain, not being able to be with my mom.

Moriah Stewart followed all protocols for treating my dad’s medical injuries while still keeping him updated on my mom and treating him with the compassion needed for the situation. Not only that, but all the Healthcare workers that morning, including Moriah Stewart, helped my husband, my son, and me split our time between my mom and dad to support them both. As the situation unfolded, it became clear my dad would need a full hip replacement and be admitted to the hospital in Mason City, but my mom needed an ICU bed, none of which were available there. Once one was found in Rochester, and she was accepted, it also became clear that my parents would need to be separated for their treatment, and my mom’s condition was still very unstable.

Understanding the situation, as my dad’s nurse, Moriah Stewart, made the most incredible thing happen. She arranged for my dad’s gurney bed to be wheeled next to my mom’s bed, where my mom lay unconscious. My dad was able to reach over and touch my mom’s hand and cheek as he spoke to her, and potentially said goodbye to his wife of over 50 years. My husband, son, and I were also able to be there. Moriah Stewart, with the help of the other Healthcare workers, made sure my dad had plenty of time to tell my mom he loved her and say anything else he needed and wanted to say to her before he was taken up to his room and she was transported to Rochester.

My mother passed away in Rochester later that day. Without Moriah Stewart making the extra effort to work with her co-workers and arrange to provide this opportunity for my parents and family beyond the excellent care she was already providing for my father, my dad would not have had the chance to say goodbye to my Mom, touch her hand, or tell her he loved her. Moriah Stewart will forever be an angel to our family.