Maggie has always been a very caring and compassionate person to not only her patients and family, but her team here at TCH. I believe Maggie to be an exceptional nurse. She is always so thoughtful and caring of others.

There are many times over the last five years that I have seen her do things out of the goodness of her heart. Like the time during our night shift when she recognized it was her patient’s birthday the following day and she created a birthday banner using Microsoft Word. She printed out the papers, colored the banner, and walked around the unit for us all to sign so she could hang it up for her patient to wake up to in the morning.

Or the time when the patient was experiencing a pain crisis and Maggie naturally comforted the child through therapeutic communication. The room fell silent, and the patient was comforted as the pain medication kicked in. I will never forget the look of relief on the parent's faces when their child was receptive to her soothing voice and no one else’s. The list of these “small” but magical moments goes on. Ask a nurse on our floor, and I’m sure they will have a story about a time Maggie was being … Maggie.

Personally, I can say Maggie’s caring nature goes beyond bedside care. One early morning upon completion of report, I began experiencing early signs of a migraine. I asked the charges if they knew what time the gift shop opened because I wanted to purchase some medicine to prevent the episode. Maggie was on her way out and stated she was going to wait for her sister to get off her shift and would check if it was open for me. Minutes later, I received a text from her telling me it was open, and I was very appreciative of her going out of her way to check for me. Before I could make the trip down to the gift shop myself, Maggie reappeared in the conference room with medicine in hand. My coworker and I gasped because she really didn’t have to do this. I knew she had a long night, and was ready to go home, but she insisted this was not a big deal. To me, it was. I was internally worrying about how the day would look, and hoping the gift shop was open as early as possible before it was too late to get ahead of the migraine and I would need to make plans to go home. Seeing her walk back in with two packets in hand to get me through the day left me at a loss for words. I was so surprised but I think she went to check two hospital gift shops. (This is a long walk, and I know she was probably ready for bed.) Who knew my team member who held down the unit all night would help save the day too? We watched the door close behind her and I said to myself, “This is Maggie.. being Maggie.”

Kindness cost nothing but means everything in the lives of others. So, I want to nominate Maggie for being Maggie. And with that I mean I want to recognize the kindness and selfless heart that she carries. And Maggie, I want you to know that your acts of kindness, though you feel are small or barely detectable, have the greatest impact on the lives of others. Thank you for the way you care. It’s magical.