Erin played such a pivotal role in my mom’s journey as she was my mom’s day-shift nurse for a few days after she came off ECMO, the ventilator, and the balloon pump. This was a major positive step in my mom’s journey. And, while seeing my mom come off of these machines was exciting and gave us a great deal of hope, there were several issues and challenges that being on them for several days (which was necessary for my mom) had presented. Erin was responsive, communicative, nurturing, confident, and earned our trust from the second that we met her. Interestingly enough, we didn’t realize she was an Aya nurse right away.

My Aya leader had a beautiful blanket and card sent to my mom’s room. Erin opened the card for my mom and read it out loud. It was signed “Aya family” and Erin said her first thoughts were, “Did my recruiter send my patient this blanket?” While I wouldn’t put is past our Aya recruiters to do something so sweet, we laughed because it was then that we realized we both worked for the same amazing company. Those first few days off of the machines were perilous at times. However, Erin helped to ensure my mom was heard and well cared for. My mom had been through so much as this point and the realization of what had occurred and the current situation she was likely quite overwhelming. Coming out of sedation and in a CVICU room surrounded by IVs, hooked up to all kinds of wires, in an unknown place with few familiar faces. It is absolutely a lot to process. Yet, Erin was right there to support my mom in every way possible.