Over the last year, I've had the opportunity to be a patient as well as a staff member for MMH. I have always enjoyed my interactions with Nicole as a fellow employee but it wasn't until I was on the other side of the curtain, as a patient, that I really got to experience the amazing person she is. On one particular visit to surgery, I was feeling extremely anxious and overwhelmed with my recent diagnosis and fear of the road ahead of me. Although Nicole was not the nurse assigned to take care of me for that day's procedure, she was aware enough to observe that I needed some extra help. I'm so grateful to her that she stepped into my room when she saw that I needed help. That "help" was emotional support and words of encouragement that I will NEVER forget. I clung to those words of encouragement that she offered during some of the hardest days. She had the ability to see that my emotional need far exceeded my physical need at that time, and she lifted my spirits and provided me service that no one can teach.

Several months later I was back in for a separate procedure, and luckily Nicole was my assigned nurse. I felt so at ease to know that I was in good hands and I never felt like a patient but more like family. I was in a much better place emotionally but required more physical help than I had during the previous procedure. Nicole made me feel like I was her only patient for the day and that she was there for me for anything that I needed. I never felt rushed or uncomfortable. I am so grateful for Nicole and her ability to observe and react to my needs, both emotional and physical. I will never forget how she made me feel and I'm so lucky to have her in my corner.