This nomination is long overdue. Mary is always exemplary in providing compassionate care to our most fragile patients. Mary is always quick to go the extra mile to ensure that patients and families feel supported. In the CICU environment, it can be challenging to offer those little comforts like dressing kids in their own clothes, doing their hair, and ensuring time for therapeutic play and appropriate neurodevelopmental care. Mary excels in these areas.

Most recently, Mary was caring for two CICU patients. One of the patients has been hospitalized since February of this year. He has had multiple surgeries, suffered cardiac arrests, and two stints on ECMO. He is now trached and vent dependent. He is making tremendous strides and is working to regain developmental milestones. His mom has mentioned several times that J has not been out of the ICU since February – did not get to be outside one time this summer. Mary organized her day with two ICU patients so she could get J to the Healing Garden. This is no easy feat – J is still on several continuous IV infusions, tube feeds and is ventilator dependent. Mary got him dressed in his own clothes, got a wagon, and collaborated with respiratory therapy and the CICU doctors to ensure a safe trip to see the outside this summer. J and his mom got to sit outside in the sun and get some pictures with the flowers, thanks to Mary’s extra effort. J’s mom was glowing with happiness to get this special time. J was also smiling.

Mary always goes the extra mile to make people feel special and gives others comfort however it is needed.