Kendra Ridley
December 2020
Kendra
Ridley
,
RN
NICU (Neonatal-ICU)
The University of Vermont Medical Center
Burlington
,
VT
United States

 

 

 

Kendra held hope with us, celebrated with us, educated us, and supported our family through one of the most uncertain times of our lives.
After a beautiful, healthy, pregnancy, our family's world was unexpectedly rocked upside down upon delivery of our baby girl, P. Within minutes of birth, P was taken away to the NICU for difficulty "transitioning", and was later diagnosed with Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension. We have never felt such fear, sitting with the uncertainty of what this meant for our child and our family. At the very end of her shift, Kendra was the admitting NICU nurse and stayed late to admit our baby and make sure she was settled. Kendra was P's nurse every day she was in the NICU. We had the utmost privilege of Kendra's constant and unwavering reassurance, expertise, professionalism, warmth, and compassion. Kendra held hope with us, celebrated with us, educated us, and supported our family through one of the most uncertain times of our lives. Every day we left the NICU, my husband and I were at peace knowing Kendra was taking care of our daughter. We have now been home for 2 weeks, our baby is thriving, and not a day has gone by that Kendra's name has not been mentioned in our home. Our gratitude and adoration for this person who came into our lives for such a short period of time have profoundly impacted us. Though we are endlessly grateful for having been discharged from the NICU with a healthy baby, we grieve the loss of Kendra in our daily routine and the beautiful support she provided. We would be remiss to not honor Kendra for her exceptional nursing and support. She is deserving of the highest praise. Kendra - We think of you, miss you, and thank you daily.