In the last twenty days, we have experienced the process of receiving one of life's greatest gifts: a donor's heart. As you can imagine, it can be frightening and exciting at the same time. CVTU, as a team, deserves a nomination, as every nurse/tech we have had an experience with made us feel comfortable. However, this award forces us to pick just one.

If you have multiple Bethany's, then St. V's and their patients are the real winners. Bethany is selfless, hard-working, and executes at the highest level when it comes to patient care. However, as we have learned, making patient care personal is a true gift. We were blessed to have Bethany in two very different stages of the transplant. Initially, it was the first few days of being admitted to the hospital while waiting for a transplant. In a three-day period, our family fell in love with Bethany’s abilities as a nurse, as well as her ability to make the transplant process personal and real to us. We know that there are risks associated with any transplant, but Bethany calmed any anxiety we had on the patient care side.

However, no one could have ever known that weeks later, Bethany would be our nurse when the news was delivered that L was to receive a heart. Bethany immediately came to our room with follow-up instructions and continued over an eight-hour period that everything was going to be okay. She prepped us as a family and kept us calm as we waited and waited and waited. She kept reminding us over and over again that everything was going to be great and that L's life would change when she received the new heart.

Bethany hugged L and told her that when she saw her next, she would have a new heart! Tears welled up in Bethany’s eyes when she told L that. I can't think of any other nurse who was perfect for that moment for our family! Bethany was an angel sent by the Good Lord to watch over us that day.

Bethany does what she says she's going to do, which may seem simple, but she is true to her word. People's word can oftentimes be underrated, but it is so critical, and we are so thankful that Bethany did what she told us she was going to do by being there for us.

But Bethany then went above and beyond! Even though the procedure was not supposed to start until after her shift was over, she told us she would stay until they wheeled L back to the operating room. L cried when she heard this. I still tear up when I think about Bethany being willing to stay well past her time to make sure that our family was comfortable... On her own time!

The transplant process can be frightening, and Bethany not only prepared us mentally for it but physically stood by our side until it was time. She was truly an angel for us. In a life-changing moment for us, Bethany knew exactly what we needed and was there for us. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to nominate Bethany Corn for this Award. She will forever be thanked in our family!

Thank you for giving this Award to the nurses. It's a great way to honor the heroes in this field!