Sarah Peterson 2025, RN

As we all know, nurses wear many different hats. They act as nurses, pharmacy double-checkers, TV fixers, food preparers, therapists, friends, teachers, scientists, social workers —the list goes on. However, a patient advocate is one of our most important roles, which can be particularly challenging in pediatrics, as patients already have advocates - their parents. There was a patient recently on our floor who had a poor prognosis and had just turned 18 years old. His parents, family, and doctors all had ideas and suggestions about whether the patient should continue treatment and how he should do so. Sarah Peterson stepped up in a time of enormous need. She advocated for him, for his wants and needs, even if it didn't align with family or the doctors, even if it meant setting him up at home to pass away peacefully despite his parents' wishes. Sarah established so much trust with him that he was able to discuss his true wishes with her, whereas few other staff members were able to have that conversation effectively. She accomplished this all while managing an overwhelming number of clinical tasks. She kept him as safe as possible clinically and psychologically while in a very stressful situation herself. I think this deserves all the recognition in the world. Sarah is a phenomenal nurse who shows up to work every day and makes a difference in her patients' lives.