Following surgery to remove a brain tumor, my wife was a patient in the neurology ICU. Everyone in this unit was outstanding from Shelby to all the nurses and techs.This entire staff impressed me with their professionalism and compassion for my wife’s condition. However, as perfect as everything was, one nurse raised the bar of medical expertise, kindness, and empathy and that is this nurse. From the very first moment we met and I observed her perform her duties, she made us feel like family. We shared many stories and it touched my heart that she took a very sincere interest in my wife’s military career and community involvement. Her genuine concern and tenderness with my wife’s delicate condition was particularly noteworthy.

Even more incredible was when she asked us if she could wash my wife’s hair- Of Course? And she made her look beautiful. As if that wasn’t enough, when it came time to disconnect my wife's breathing and feeding tubes, Shelby volunteered to be the one to perform that critical task. I have rarely seen that degree of selfless service in the medical profession. It was as if this nurse and my wife became sisters. Shelby's boundless empathy was wonderful. She personifies the vision of mission and values of Sacred Heart.