Josh was the nurse for a patient who was in a terrible car accident. Due to the trauma of the accident, this patient had to give birth to her 29.3-week infant by emergency C-section and the infant was taken to the NICU. The patient was unconscious from the accident and was never able to meet her daughter after birth.

Unfortunately, after two days, the infant took a turn for the worse, and Josh’s patient was brought to the NICU just in time to meet her daughter before she passed. The patient had to return to advanced care, due to her condition, where Josh was her nurse for the night. With permission from the physicians and administration, we were able to bring her baby to be in the room with her for as long as she needed to see her baby. Josh’s compassion for this mother, who had just lost her child, while dealing with her own trauma-related injuries was absolutely unmatched.

Josh helped position the infant and her mother comfortably so she could hold her. He also took all the time the mother needed, explaining her care and injuries in detail, and calling a physician to get orders to immediately meet her needs. Josh spoke to her like a grieving mother and acknowledged her daughter by name when in the room. He helped us position the cuddle cot to make sure when he was in the room it was working properly. His kindness and compassion for a grieving mother go above and beyond the Carle standard of compassion and should not go unrecognized. As the NICU nurse, for the infant this shift, I’m thankful Josh was the nurse taking care of my patient’s mother, and we were able to work together to ensure they spent time together. Thank you, Josh, for your compassion!