Recently, my mother was a patient in the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit in UPMC Shadyside. While I have never written a letter of this nature before, I sincerely feel I would be remiss if I did not do so now. First and foremost, I must tell you that my family and I will always be grateful to UPMC and its doctors, nurses and staff who cared for my mother during her stay. The level of care she received was first rate and certainly second to none. Unfortunately, Mom's condition was too severe for her to recover from and she passed away on the 5th day there.

While everyone we encountered at UPMC Shadyside was gracious and dedicated to providing the best possible care to Mom, there was one person who stood out above all others. That person was Gretchen Sobotka, RN. She is a nurse in the Cardiothoracic ICU. She exemplified the ideal of professionalism in nursing with her skillful scientific assessment of Mom coupled with the human qualities such as empathy and kindness. She knew her job and she made it look easy. She treated Mom and our family like her family, as one of her own. Her kindness was exceptional and was deeply appreciated during these 4 difficult days Mom was in the ICU. My Dad was discharged from the hospital and we brought him in a wheelchair to see my Mom in her final days. Gretchen was patient and so very gracious with my fragile father. Nothing was too much for her to do.

Gretchen was incredible at the time of Mom's passing. The day mom passed I was riding from Beallsville, Ohio hoping that Gretchen would be my her nurse again and when I got there Gretchen told me that on her way to work that morning she had said a prayer for my Mom, and that she also was hoping that she would have the pleasure of caring for Mom that day. That statement meant more to me than anyone could ever know.

Gretchen is the personification of compassion, she gave me time alone to say goodbye to Mom. She encouraged me and supported me as if I was her family. She quietly closed the door of the room and allowed me as much time as I needed to say my goodbyes to Mom.

I feel Gretchen should be recognized for the exemplary care she provided to Mom and my family. UPMC is fortunate to have such an employee and anyone who finds themselves in her care is luckier still. Gretchen is living proof that angels do walk among us. For these reasons and many more Gretchen Sobotka is deserving of the DAISY Award.