March 2022
Jennifer N
Runk
,
BSN, RN
Pediatrics
Wellspan Chambersburg Hospital
Chambersburg
,
PA
United States
Jenn did not belittle him, and she did not question him, like so many others in his life. She saw his light, and she helped him.
We brought my 15-year-old son into the ER because he had plans to commit suicide. For six days, he stayed in 3346 while waiting for a bed in a psychiatric treatment center to open. He wasn't physically ill, but he was mentally struggling with his depression, his anxiety, and all that was causing him to want to hurt himself. While he waited, Jenn took excellent care of him. She did not belittle him, and she did not question him, like so many others in his life. She saw his light, and she helped him. She brought him games, food, and honestly, she brought him the kind of levity and kindness that all 15-year-olds need and crave. On the way to the treatment center, he asked that I nominate her for an award, so others hear what she did for him. He's still in the treatment center, and we're not sure how long he will be there, but I want her to know, and I want others to know, that even as he was leaving, he was thankful for Jenn and the care she gave to him.