My daughter and I walked into a room welcomed by a bright pillowcase, soft, squishy stuffed animal, stickers and cartoons playing...and our phenomenal nurse, Heather Smith. M was there to get her tonsils and adenoids out. Even though she is only 9, Heather made to include her the decisions being made about her care where able to. She was professional, flexible, accommodating, and energetic.

M and I had brought my mom over for a scope two weeks prior, and the surgery staff were amazing! They gave M a little tour and introduced her to some of the people that might be there for her surgery in the upcoming weeks. They placed an IV in her turtle and showed her so many things to ease her worries! Heather remembered that M liked turtles and even picked out turtle stickers for her to have before and after her surgery!

M remembers the nurses who took such great care of her by name and will remember her first surgery as a very POSITIVE experience, which I can't thank you enough for. Working in healthcare, myself, it is odd being on the "other end" of things. We are told to treat our patients like they are family, and I can say without a doubt that Heather genuinely did that. I am so grateful that Heather was our nurse. She is exceptional at what she does. It's experiences like the one Heather provided M that get others excited about and have confidence in medicine and the associated professions...and maybe even a future career in it! THANK YOU HEATHER!