I had already been in York Hospital for over a week, including a two-day abdominal surgery. On that morning, things were about to go awry. 

My nurse the day before was Taylor Morse. She had been working with me on my walking and had been an excellent motivator. Her personality was such that I wanted to walk farther and farther just to make her proud. As her shift ended, we planned to do some stairs the next day. 

Overnight, I had a concerning incident. A very hard cough led to a very sharp pain in my abdomen that came with a horrible burning sensation. It faded as time went by but was my worst pain to date. A doctor had come in to check but nothing concerning was found. The nursing assistant checked my vitals, and all seemed fine.

Taylor came back in a very short time later, noticed a change in me, and asked if I was okay. She then checked my vitals again. There was quite a change. My heart rate was fluctuating wildly from the 90s to the 150s. My blood pressure was dropping dramatically. I heard Taylor call the Rapid Response Team. I will spare you the details of a long and hectic experience and focus on why I feel Taylor deserves the recognition of this award.

Throughout all the frantic activity that followed her call, I had a singular calming factor: Taylor. When machines were rushed in, wires attached to me, tape ripped from me, etc., I could always find Taylor in the crowd, making direct eye contact and making very comforting and reassuring statements whenever possible.

Rushing down the hall to the ICU, listening to everyone talk about the growing possibility of an AED shock, she was right by my side, holding my hand, telling me what was going on, and speaking to me in a quiet, calm tone. I cannot overstate how much this meant to me in those moments. Even in the seconds before the first shock was delivered, as the words “shock advised, shock advised, stand back” were in my ears, I found her across the room watching me intently with eyes full of caring and compassion. I knew that she was with me, and I knew she truly cared.

Of course, full credit goes to the highly trained experts on the Rapid Response Team and the high-tech equipment used that day. However, coming from the involved patient's point of view, I can also tell that full credit goes to the wonderful individual who was able to provide me with the quiet calmness and personal focus which allowed me to maintain an unthinkably positive attitude during one of the most frightening and confusing times of my entire life.

Taylor Morse will forever be my hero.