My mother was admitted to the hospital and became critically ill, prior to going into cardiac arrest. The staff was able to get pulses back on my mother and transferred her to the ICU. Jessica got onto shift just after my mother arrived in the ICU. She was unconscious with no signs of life, on multiple drips to keep her heart going and blood pressure up, but she remained unconscious with no signs of getting better.

Throughout the morning, we had about 35 family members arrive to say our goodbyes before we stopped the machines and drips. During this time, Jessica showed an AMAZING amount of compassion and empathy toward every single person that was there. We were able to cycle everyone into her room until the final moments, which is when we all piled into the room, prayed, and said goodbye as her final breaths were taken. Jessica moved very carefully around us and provided not only great care for my mother but great care for my father (who is in poor health as well). She went above and beyond, caring for everyone there and making my mother’s final day here, as comforting and peaceful as it could be. In my mother’s final moments, I not only will remember the sorrow of losing such an amazing woman but the exceptional care, empathy, and treatment from Jessica will always be tied to that memory.

The little things get overlooked but they made a huge impact on my family. Her voice was sincere, she stayed after the doctor visited to answer any questions and help us with the decisions that we needed to make. She provided us with drinks, tissues, and snacks as many of us were there all morning. She comforted my dad, she comforted my siblings and me and she was quiet and supportive at all the right times, giving words of encouragement at just the right times.

Once my mother passed, Jessica was very patient as she went over the process multiple times with multiple different sons and family members. She gave us all the time and support we needed. God forbid anything happens to myself or a loved one, but if something did happen and we ended up in the ICU, I would want Jessica taking care of us. She truly is AMAZING.

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Today our family is facing the end of life of our precious C; a wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother. C’s selfless concern for all of us was gently teamed up with her spontaneous kindness and abundant empathy, and all of her life, her quiet yet vibrant joy. Kindness, Empathy, Joy – these very qualities were bestowed upon all of us at C’s ICU bedside by Jessica! And we are one big, huge family (of 20+ members!) Jessica made time for all of us – patiently answering our questions and lovingly attending to our tears and sadness. She even ordered sandwiches, sodas, and cookies for all of us and had them delivered to the nurses’ station! There really are Earth Angels and I believe that Jessica is one of them! I shall always think of Jessica and Banner Baywood hospital when I think of C and the grace which Jessica showed as she guided us through our saddest hours. Thank you for teaching me grace, Jessica, and thank you for the blessing of YOU. With our great respect, infinite appreciation, and much love, we nominate Jessica for this award.