Kristel is compassionate, present, empowered, collaborative, and accountable! She did an amazing job as our night nurse. Kristel gave me and my family exceptional care for the two nights she served as my night nurse during my stillbirth at WBH. She treated me with empathy and helped to provide exceptional health care during my stay. I told her the first night she was my nurse that I had wanted to do matching outfits for my living daughter, the daughter I lost to stillbirth, and myself. After hearing this, Kristel searched her house for a beautiful baby blanket, and matching girl's hair bow, and nail polish. She gave me this as gifts and said that every time my daughter (four years old) and I do our nails together, my daughter can wear this hair bow, and we can remember the daughter we lost. It was a very touching gift.
Kristel also rubbed my feet with lavender lotion on the second night to try to get me to go to sleep. In addition to the wonderful medical care she gave me, she also took the time to sit with my husband and me just to talk. I was able to have some time with our still-born daughter. Kristel made sure I had blankets on me to make up for the weight my daughter did not have.
When I was having my quiet time, Kristel went with my husband to the bereavement room to talk to him and help him with his pain. She was able to provide comfort to him and me. My husband said that Kristel felt like a bereavement counselor and knew what to say and when to listen. She was able to comfort us and make sure we felt at peace in a horrible time in our lives. She was there to listen and provided us some very valuable ways we would honor our still-born daughter. Kristel suggested that he have our 4-year-old daughter release a balloon in honor of our still-born daughter. We were able to do this at the funeral, and it was very meaningful.
In addition to all of this, Kristel took amazing care of our still-born daughter. She wrapped her up in beautiful blankets and moved her hands to display a little bracelet we received. It was so sweet. Kristel took amazing pictures that we will treasure for years to come. She worked with my mom to make sure my mom also got meaningful time with my daughter. Kristel also makes sure we received beautiful handprints and footprints. She asked one of her colleagues who did a wonderful job. Kristel shared her heart with me and truly served me during a most difficult time. She made this time valuable, and I will never forget the beautiful memories I have of our stillborn daughter thanks to Kristel and the way she made sure everything was peaceful and beautiful for us. We call Kristel our "Angle Nurse". She is truly an angel to us for all of the reasons listed above.

Note: This is Kristal's 2nd DAISY Award!