Nomination by a Parent:
After spending about three long weeks in the hospital with my daughter for her chronic gastrointestinal illness of severe pain, nauseous and vomiting, Nurse Shaz became our guiding light. She led us out of the darkness and into the light of day with her outstanding bedside manner, compassion, and patient advocacy. Before my daughter was almost sent home on a feeding tube without any resolve of her symptoms, Shaz was the nurse who was able to diligently help my daughter to achieve a full bladder which was necessary for an ultrasound to rule out an ovarian cyst. Many of the other nurses had doubted my daughter could be hydrated adequately in preparation and therefore doubted the ultrasound could be successfully performed.

As the mother I was scared to bring my daughter home on tube feedings because of an unsuccessful history on feedings in the past at home that landed her right back in the hospital. Shaz’s vast experience with gastrointestinal disorders helped her to go the extra mile for my daughter and in getting her to successfully have the sonogram. Shaz convinced the radiologist to work beyond his normal work hours to examine my daughter. Because of Shaz’s efforts, an enormous ovarian cyst was discovered when everyone had great doubts that the cyst had grown or was at the root of her suffering.

As a result of Shaz’s extraordinary knowledge and nursing skills, my daughter’s cyst was drained and she made a miraculous recovery. The day of her surgery she was cured of all of her pain and could resume eating and drinking. We are eternally grateful to Shaz for being our angel! Please recognize her for saving my daughter from further suffering! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will always remember the compassion that Shaz shared with my daughter and me!