Before I share why my husband, K, and I have selected Nurse Nikki for this recognition, I want to first want to express our heartfelt gratitude to every single individual we encountered at Advent Health. From the ER where I was initially diagnosed with heart blockages, to the surgeon, doctors, nurses, technicians, food service staff, and the young woman who cleaned my room daily, each person was incredibly professional, kind, courteous, and attentive - not only to my needs as a patient but also to those of my guests. The care and service we received during my stay were beyond exceptional. 

During the first two evenings of my stay, I was assigned to Nikki. From the moment she entered my room, she began building a personal connection with both me and my husband, K, who stayed overnight with me on the 4NE floor during my stay. She asked about our family, including our adopted daughter C, and shared about her own family, including her second-grade son, who attends one of our local schools. Throughout her hourly or so visits, we continued to bond over our shared experiences, especially as I'm an elementary school principal in Hillsborough County. Our conversations often centered around the experiences of her son at a local public school, which immediately put both my husband and me at ease as we were preparing for surgery. We were understandably nervous about the triple bypass procedure, as we had limited knowledge of what to expect. 

During our time with Nikki, she was consistently outstanding in explaining everything related to my treatment, medication, and upcoming procedures in preparation for surgery. She has a remarkable ability to teach and simplify complex information, ensuring we understand each step of the process. Nikki always took the time to listen to our questions and concerns, providing clear, reassuring explanations that alleviated our anxieties. Even on evenings when she wasn't assigned to me, she would stop by just to check on me and offer kind words. 

One of the most touching moments came the morning of my surgery. Nikki had the day off to attend a field trip with her son, yet she took the time to call early in the morning to check on me. As my night nurse, Nurse M (another excellent nurse), was preparing me for surgery, she received a call from Nikki, who asked to speak with me. Nikki called to wish me well for the surgery and reassured me that I was in good hands. The fact that she took time out of her busy day to reach out and offer her support truly touched me. It gave me a sense of peace as I was wheeled into surgery, knowing that her care and thoughtfulness were with me. 

As I mentioned earlier, I cannot express enough gratitude to the entire team at Advent Health, from the 4NE floor to the ICU staff, for their exceptional care. I was surrounded by so many kind, thoughtful professionals, but Nikki's actions stood out to me as truly extraordinary. Her dedication and kindness during such a challenging time in my life will never be forgotten.