Our daughter, Madelyn, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma/stage 4 in December. Nurse Wanda served as our primary nurse, as Madelyn would have many hospital visits during treatment.
Wanda's professionalism and caring were extraordinary. During the 13 months after diagnosis, we spent more time in the hospital than we did at home. We spent so many of those days with Wanda. Two years after her diagnosis, Madelyn died. Even though it hurts a lot recalling this time for our family, we have wanted to nominate Wanda for this award. Even though it was a difficult time for us, Wanda was one of the blessings.
We appreciate that it would be difficult treating a 4-year-old with terminal cancer. When we learned at Christmas time how our battle would soon end, Wanda literally helped hold me up.
We will never forget Wanda. In honor of her and the many outstanding nurses, we have created and funded the Madelyn Nicole Greene Memorial Nursing Scholarship, which has distributed nursing scholarships for four years since Madelyn's death.
Wanda is the epitome of nursing excellence, and there is no one more deserving of this award.