Nurse Tammy is the definition of an elite healthcare professional. She combines true empathy, humor, and patience in a rare but very welcome combination to care for my brother. He is living with a terminal cancer diagnosis, and this nurse’s effect was just the comfort we needed.

From the moment we met during her care for my brother, she generated enthusiasm and a caring energy that appeared to motivate the entire care team to tackle the daily challenges of caring for my brother with a positive mindset.

Her interactions with my family and me show she is an outstanding role model, consistently exhibiting excellent interpersonal skills with other staff, patients, and family alike.

However, it was her bedside manner that truly set her apart. Tammy showed deep empathy in every situation, ensuring my brother felt seen and heard. During her care of my brother, she established a special connection that went far beyond her clinical duties. As but one example, I asked her to facilitate a visit from a Catholic priest to administer the Healing of the Sick to my brother. The priest showed up at an unexpected time, and she called me after I had left the hospital for the day to alert me to his visit and to ensure I could be there with my brother during the sacrament.

Simply put, she made a meaningful difference in my family's life during one of our darkest hours. It appears every action she takes exemplifies the essence of professional nursing, proving that she is not just a clinician, but a healer.