After 4.5 years of infertility and then a successful round of IVF, I found out at 19 weeks pregnant that our daughter, no longer had a heartbeat. My husband works nights, and I arrived at the hospital to be induced by myself. Arriving was such a blur, but the first thing I remember is being called back to a room by my nurse, Mary Catherine Cisson. Mary Catherine has a true gift for nursing. Not only is she incredibly intelligent and intuitive, but she is also so genuinely kind and caring. Mary Catherine took amazing care of me. In the time before my family arrived, Mary Catherine made sure I wasn't alone.
I'm sure she had other patients to take care of, but she spent extra time with me, talking to me and treating me with such tenderness and kindness. I feel like words fail to express how incredible Mary Catherine truly is. In the most difficult time, she was such a bright ray of sunshine. It wasn't a bubbly demeanor that made her shine so brightly - it was her genuine care and concern for me that did so. Sometimes it was the big things - like making sure that my extremely high blood pressure got under control. Other times, it was little things - like offering me her own hair tie when I needed one. My dad said every time he passed the nurses' station, she was hard at work ensuring her patients received the best care possible.
When I look back on that horrible time while in the hospital, Mary Catherine really stands out. She truly made such an impact on me. I believe Mary Catherine exemplifies all facets of the DAISY Award - Respectful Compassion, Responsible Stewardship, Deep Interdependence, and Passion for Excellence. I recommend NGHS to family and friends whenever possible. I was so blown away by the care I received from her.