My son is a medically complex child who has spent the majority of his life in the hospital. Moving due to the military and starting all over at a new hospital is something no parent wants. In addition, throughout this stay, he has had a hard road with no clear reasoning for his symptoms. He is trach/vent dependent, fed through a GJ, has cerebral palsy, and many other diagnoses that make new symptoms hard to get to the root cause. In our time in the hospital, I have never felt inclined to nominate someone until MacKenzie. MacKenzie is the type of nurse any parent would want for their child. She has shown him, love, compassion, gone above and beyond to make him smile, and truly fought to help him. She listens to the family but more importantly gets to know her patients and immediately knows when something isn't right.

This hospital stay has been trying with no end in sight and we are so thankful to have MacKenzie on our team. I cannot think of someone more deserving or caring than her. Not only is she extremely knowledgeable she has continued to go out of her way to research, ponder, and ask the necessary questions to get my son the help he needs. I know my son is safe in MacKenzie's hands, and not only is he safe, but he is also loved and cared for as he was her own. I will never be able to put into words the gratitude we feel for MacKenzie and I hope the hospital recognizes her. She is the shining star we have needed throughout the dark days we have encountered.