I first met Teresa some years back when I began maintenance ECT at LDS Hospital. I struggled with what to share because there are so many instances of her going above and beyond expectations. After much reflection, I have settled on three that demonstrate the profound level of care and the deep compassion she has provided to me. To begin, I had a flashback in the operating room where the ECT is performed. Despite knowing this was a flashback, I still felt anxious and afraid to be alone in the room with my Dr and anesthesiologists going forward, as they are all male, and that tends to be a trigger for my symptoms. I finally worked up the courage to call Teresa and explain that I felt very vulnerable and afraid, and asked if there was any way a woman could stay with me as I was put to sleep and treated. I felt quite ashamed and embarrassed in asking this, however Teresa's reply was so affirming and normalizing that those emotions were greatly diminished. Now, every time I come for a treatment, Teresa is there. She comes to my room beforehand for a quick check-in and chat. She even can make me laugh, which is an achievement in itself. And, every time I am rolled into the treatment room, she is there, and I feel fine to go forward with it, knowing she is watching over me and will keep me safe.

The second example that I would like to share occurred recently when I had been admitted to the Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit. My doctor had decided that a short series of treatments would be the best course of action. So three times a week Teresa would come with a medical assistant and stretcher to pick me up. This particular time there was a physical fight, where blood was drawn immediately before she arrived. It caused me to have a particularly terrifying flashback. After it was over, my mind fled to a dissociative state. The nurses on the unit were attempting to speak with me and draw me out (I was told), to no avail. As I was floating in my mind, I heard her voice and looked up. I came back to the world. I believe that because I had no doubt, I was safe with Teresa.

This final example demonstrates not only Teresa's excellence in nursing but also what a wonderful human being she is. I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. From the beginning, she has been caring and supportive, always there with a shoulder when I needed it. But she went so far above and beyond that she has had a tremendous impact on my spirit and my courage to face cancer once again. When I was diagnosed, I was lucky enough to have my choice of hospitals that provide treatment for breast cancer. It is important to me that you know I chose LDS Hospital because of the safety I feel there. Teresa and many other nurses provide exceptional care to me, allowing me to focus on the treatment. As you have read, Teresa always takes the time to talk to me, to explain things and to help coordinate with my upcoming treatment. In fact, I have a port, and it can often be temperamental. One of the nurses, who has become a bit of a port whisperer for me. Teresa asked her, and arranged with the surgery team. All to spare me the pain of having multiple attempts at accessing it.

On the day of my surgery, Teresa took time out of her busy day to come to my room as I was being prepped and talk with me about everything and nothing. This took my mind off the upcoming surgery for a little bit and allowed me to relax just a little bit. Finally, the day following the surgery, my phone rang, and I saw it was Teresa. She called to check in on how I was doing following the surgery and see if I still felt up for my treatment the following week. This was so meaningful to me for many reasons, but most of all, because I am facing all this largely on my own. She reached out when she did not have to let me know that I was cared about. That someone was rooting for me to beat cancer. In a world that I often feel separate from, Teresa has reached out and grounded me. Not only am I a patient whom she provides tremendously compassionate, skilled, and above-duty care for, but she sees me and cares for me as a person. Between my mental illness, being a survivor of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia and everyday health problems I have spent quite a bit of time in the health care system. I have been cared for by many wonderful nurses, but none have done so much and gone so much further than their job required than Teresa. I am so grateful to have met her and been her patient, and I am honored to share with you why I have nominated her. It is my deepest wish that you also recognize her excellence and present her with the DAISY Award.