After having surgery part of my recovery specified by my doctor was to have me attend cardiac rehab. I was reluctant at first based on some former bad experiences at other facilities where personal care was lacking. My first task was to call in to schedule an orientation. This nurse was the person to answer my call. She made me feel so at ease on the phone, so we made an appointment to meet. When we did, her caring and empathetic way put me at ease immediately. She was very professional and thorough but very personable and easy to talk to. I thought she would quickly pass me on to someone else but instead, she took the time to answer my questions and concerns, show me the facility, and explain the process and goals.

Once I started the program she was there consistently. Those who worked for her department displayed respect for her leadership and a sense of teamwork that comes from great leadership. She took the time to walk through the unit to check on me and others in the program monitoring progress while teaching our weekly classes and seeing that the program ran smoothly and efficiently.

She and I now have a lasting friendship and even though I have finished my treatment we stay in touch from time to time on social media. I have learned over time that she has leadership responsibilities for two major programs at the hospital. In addition, she is a mom who has a wonderful family and is married to a medical professional. Additionally, she has faithfully served in these capacities through the Covid pandemic. I can't imagine how difficult some of her days have been. I have known and interacted with a lot of medical professionals’ doctors and nurses alike but in my experience, she is a real hero who has faithfully and effectively fulfilled her duties in the light of significant obstacles. I am just one of hundreds I know she has helped recover...and I am so grateful! I remain indebted to her for the quality of care I received and impressed that I feel I could call her any time if I had a need for further assistance. That kind of care is rare in today's world!

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I was 44 when I had a massive heart attack. It was the scariest and most painful experience of my life. Listening to the doctors and judging from the way I felt, I was not sure if I had much life left to live. I didn't know much about my health situation and I didn't know if I could recover. I remember when I first went to complete some paperwork, I actually cried from feeling overwhelmed. I had been working with other doctors and nurses who made me feel like just another heart patient and who provided little information about my health options other than discussing medication and generic diet and exercise conversation. Her passion for her patients and dedication to educating them is so evident in her approach. She takes time to explain the importance of diet and exercise and taking care of the heart. She encourages and motivates. She checks in and makes herself available for questions. Her approach made me feel like I could and would help my heart ... and I have. I am so thankful she was a part of my care. She very much helped a very scary and overwhelming situation feel a bit more manageable by educating and encouraging me to do what I needed to do for my health. I went from feeling hopeful to understanding more about my health situation and feeling more confident in my future heart health. Thank you!