When I think about being a nurse here at Swedish, so much comes to mind. Every day I witness staff going above and beyond for all of our patients and everyone deserves recognition, but one special nurse stands out in my mind. I have had the pleasure of working with Laura Parker since I was a new grad here at Swedish, over the last three years we have made every transition together. I have had the pleasure of watching her comfort the sickest of the sickest and provide safe and compassionate care to all patients.

Over the last year, we have worked tirelessly to care for COVID patients. We were not asked to do this, but told, and for the last year, we have done it with pride. I have watched COVID take a toll on every staff member who is here day in and day out, pouring their hearts into these patients. Laura has led our unit into the abyss and back during uncertain times and she has kept a brave face during all of it, she did not even bat an eyelash when she found out she was pregnant. She continued to show up to work every day with a brave face to care for our nurses and patients.

It is not uncommon to have a COVID long hauler while working on the COVID unit. These patients usually tend to stick with us for a few weeks and begin to become a part of our team. One patient, in particular, had been in and out of the ICU for over a month dealing with COVID and COVID complications. Laura and he had developed a great relationship and she often looked forward to stopping in his room to say good morning and get him what he needed. One day it came up that they both shared a love for donuts and it became a topic they often talked about. The patient shared his hopes of one day opening a donut shop because he loved them so much. With national donut day quickly approaching while he was still in the hospital Laura wanted to do something special for him. On her day off Laura coordinated having the patient's favorite donuts delivered to the hospital along with a note that read, "Hey buddy I think that these two custard-filled donuts are much deserved after the month you've had. Keep fighting the good fight so one day you can open that shop." Watching the joy that filled his face, with an ear-to-ear grin, he shared with me how much it meant to have someone remember him even on her day off. He reminded me how long the days are when they are spent on a quarantine unit and that the support and friendship of a nurse who became a friend would give him the energy to continue on.

Laura inspires me every day to be the best nurse I can be, she reminds me to come to work with a smile on my face and to care for our patients in a manner that I would hope someday someone cares for my loved one with.