I gave birth to a healthy baby girl. Prior to her getting here safely, I had a very traumatic experience. I had 20 hours of being induced & my cervix just wouldn’t dilate. I was in pain, frustrated, and exhausted. Terri was my third nurse during my visit. I cannot say enough about her professionalism and the care she gave me. I still think about her daily.

My daughter's heart rate was decelerating and Terri never showed any panic or fear. She made sure I was comfortable and comforted me every time I voiced a concern. The way she spoke to me was encouraging, and kind and she made things easy for me to understand. I was put on fluids, and oxygen and tried multiple positions to get my daughter's heart rate stable but eventually, my doctor came in stating she needed to perform a cesarean right away. This was the last thing I wanted. I voiced my concerns that this might happen to me from the beginning of my induction. I was so scared as I understand it’s a major surgery. But Terri didn’t leave my side. She wheeled me to the OR, held me during my spinal block, encouraged me, built me up, stayed with me during the surgery, and announced the time my daughter was born.

I am someone who is scared to even get a filling done at a dentist's office. To go through a major surgery and feel calm because of the care I received is HUGE to someone like me! I remember her holding me and I said “Terri, I'm so scared” and she squeezed me and told me, “you’re doing fantastic, everything is going to be okay.” She rubbed my back and showed me the kind of compassion my mother would have if she was able to be there. My experience was less scary because I had her by my side. She refused to let anyone else hold me and she never left. She was dedicated to me as her patient and to my daughter's health, it was evident. I feel that the dignity I was shown during the most vulnerable moment in my life was top-notch.

Afterward, she came to recovery with me & helped me navigate breastfeeding. I was so out of it from the anesthesia that I don’t think I got to express to her how much she meant to me before she left. I need Terri to be recognized. I need her to know she made a difference in my life. She impacted me and I will never forget her. My daughter is healthy and thriving and I feel like because of the crew I had, I owe that to them. Especially Terri. I knew she had 30+ years of experience (we chatted and got to know each other a bit before all the chaos happened), so I expected her to be great at her job, but she was phenomenal. My husband and I talk about her often.

I’m so happy I found out I could give her this type of award. She is so deserving. SPAH is lucky to have her, and I was blessed to be under her care. Thank you Terri, for your commitment to me & my baby girl. I will never forget you!! What an angel on earth you are.