My family and I found ourselves shocked and in disarray when my father was suddenly hospitalized at Wesley ER. Quickly the ER Doctor gave us the bad news that my father was nearing the end of his life.

Simultaneously, the ER Doctor and Nurse Mikela Bonner compassionately explained where my dad was medically and how we could help him in his journey painlessly and peacefully. Although we love him and didn’t want him to leave us, with their help we were able to make decisions not to drag out the suffering of my father.

Mikela explained the process to us and to my father, although he was unconscious, compassionate, and straightforward. It was evident that Mikela knew the care of her patient also extends to their families in situations like ours and she was professional and caring to my mother in a way I’ve never experienced in a hospital setting. Every time she administered medications to my father, Mikela spoke to him and explained what she was doing oftentimes saying she hoped he was comfortable and feeling peaceful and pain-free.

Not only did Mikela care for my father, she cared for us. She made my mother coffee and got my sister and wife water, brought us blankets and pillows, knowing we were just hours into a long night. Mikela is clearly a top professional in her career, but she’s also a caring and loving human being. You are never prepared to deal with the loss of a parent, but staff like Mikela Bonner make that difficult process not as painful.

Thank you, Mikela, for your kindness to our family and to a man who was so important to all of us.

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