I first came to know Amber a year ago when our son was born at just 26 weeks. My husband and I received a call that our son was not going to make it, so we headed to the hospital. The memory that stands out to us and which is near and dear to our hearts is watching the NICU doors open to see a tear-filled Amber doing chest compressions on our son. Amber was trying to keep G alive so we could see him before he passed. Not only did Amber work with others to keep G here so we could say goodbye, Amber also attended G's funeral later that week.
Fast forward a year and you can imagine our heartbreak when were told our son, C, born at 35 weeks, would have to go into the NICU. Although my husband and I were devastated, our hearts were filled with a renewed sense of hope when we saw Amber's face again taking care of our son. Every single member of the Portneuf Medical staff is exemplary and we are thankful for all that they have done for other families and us. Amber went above and beyond in several cases with our family from attending G's funeral to enclosing a hat that baby C had worn in a bag with a note for me to have while I was waiting for my milk to come in. Amber answered my numerous questions, often the same questions numerous times, without making me feel inferior. Amber communicated so well with us and with the medical staff; she helped explain procedures, plans of care and anything I did not understand. Amber's level of critical care provided to us can be second only to that given by the actual doctors themselves.
Amber has a level of professionalism and compassion that has been unparalleled in my experience as a mother of three NICU babies in two different states. Amber worked with the entire medical staff to ensure the plan of care was what our baby needed. Amber communicated very effectively to us, giving instructions about care along with having amazing follow-through. Nearly every time we visited our son and he was under the care of Amber, she was in direct proximity to our son, either giving care to him, another patient or charting. I did not have to look around for her to ask questions and when she left us, she gave us exact information on where she was going and when she would be back. It should be known that Amber has the reputation, within the community, as being an amazing nurse. When I would mention her name, I received overwhelming acknowledgment in this belief. Amber gave us the confidence we needed so that we could continue our lives and return some sense of normalcy knowing our son was receiving the very best care possible.
Amber is a nurse who is truly exceptional in all ways and should be acknowledged as such. I have not met a nurse of her high caliber before or after her. Amber is the exact kind of nurse, you, the hospital, and all hospitals should have in every capacity. Amber not only proved herself above the rest, she elevated the hospital with her exceptionalism.