My brother, L, was a patient in St. Mary's Medical Center, Critical Care Unit for two weeks until he passed away. L had contracted a very aggressive infection that just could not be stopped and we as a family finally had to make the decision to discontinue treatment and life support. It was a very, very tough time for us as a family. He received wonderful care while in the hospital. I am very thankful for everyone that was involved in his care.

One nurse especially stood out as the epitome of what a nurse should be. Emily Kampf, CCRN, exemplified every aspect of the nursing profession. Emily was L's nurse for 3 day shifts. We appreciated her excellent care so much that we requested her back when she came back on shift after her days off. We appreciate management's decision so much to place her back with L. I specifically asked her upon her return if she was okay with our request. She told me, "Absolutely, you are a great family and I don't mind at all to care for .L.

Emily then cared for L for two more days. She was with us during the time of making the decision to discontinue life support and also the day that L passed away. Emily allowed all family members and our ministerial staff to be in the room for the last day of L's life. She had a snack and drink cart brought to the room for us during the last hours.

One thing that stood out to me was how quietly and confidently she went about caring for L. She did not make an issue out of things that did not go as expected but quietly did what needed to be done. She never made us feel like we were in her way, she was happy to do her work around us, even though I am sure her job would have been easier without us so close to her patient. Emily was very observant did her patient assessments very thoroughly and would alert the proper doctor when she noticed something had changed. She then made certain that her concern was followed up on. She cared for L as if he was her own brother.

Emily is very knowledgeable of all equipment, treatments, and procedures and was very willing and ready to take the time to explain to us in laymen's terms what was taking place. I have been an EMT for 11 years and I probably ask more questions than most people as I am always curious and want to learn. Sometimes I think I know just enough to be annoying to doctors and nurses. Emily never made me feel like I was a bother to her when I asked questions; she always took the time to give me answers.

Emily never put down any of her co-workers, always told how great of a nurse was coming on the night shift. A couple of examples of the excellent care that Emily provided. L was on a ventilator, had a feeding tube, an IV, and a dialysis port in his EJ so it was necessary to keep him from pulling on any tubes and lines. Therefore his arms were secured to the bed rails. When Emily came on duty she unsecured his arms and placed the big mittens on his hands. L could then move his arms without danger of getting a hold on any tubes or lines. That showed us that she cared more about her patient and what was good for him rather than what would make her job easier.

Another thing was that L laid there with only a gown on. They said because he had a fever (his temp was from 99 to 101, not so high as to be a real concern) they had to keep him uncovered. When Emily came on duty I just asked her, "Really, really, how much would a sheet over his legs affect his temperature"? Emily told me, it wouldn't, and immediately got a sheet and covered L's legs. She totally understood our dislike of him lying there with bare legs.