..Joan took our hands and walked us out. As our leader, she was confident in her work and the measures she was taking, positive and comforting in her voice to all of us. She moved from machines to computers to bedside with direction and assurance. In the darkened room, Joan was holding us up and lighting the way as we watched L start to slip away. Every question we had was answered patiently, authoritatively and with kindness. She spoke gently to L with every new step. It is not possible to put into words or to measure how much we appreciated all that she did that day and in the weeks preceding L's passing. We can never give back to Joan what she gave to us.

Congratulations to Joan Pool, who like so many Saint Luke's Hospital nurses, deserve a big thank-you for their extraordinary and compassionate nursing care.