Hello. My daughter was admitted to Golisano Children's Hospital, and I have a story to tell. I feel our story far meets and or exceeds a nomination of this sort. I remember almost every clinician on this floor who walked into L’s room. Mostly because whoever walked in was someone who was potentially saving her life, and it etched in my mind and heart permanently. When I first saw Kelsey, I remember feeling at ease just from her presence. She was also the first nurse to write encouraging words on L’s whiteboard. “Breathe easy” “Rest easy.” She made us feel like it was okay to recover here and, most importantly, that we WILL recover. Kelsey will never know the number of times I looked out of L’s window to see her sitting there watching over my baby and me thanking God for her. Kelsey advocated for L like she was her own and if you are unfamiliar with the clinical world, that is an absolute necessity while in this type of surrounding. Kelsey got L anything she needed, and I mean anything. I honestly believe God has a calling for Kelsey and not only is it helping people clinically get better, but it’s setting their hearts and minds at ease. Countless times, she asked if L needed anything, and while I am aware many may think that’s the bare minimum of a nurse’s duties, Kelsey went above and beyond. One morning, she even came in with a pack of gum for L because her ears felt like they were popping. I cannot recall the amount of laughs we had in that room because Kelsey helped take L’s anxiety-ridden mind off her surroundings. I will also never forget washing L’s hair for the first time by Kelsey, what a task! It took 2 grown adults and a 17-year-old girl laughing at us to get this done. L still talks about it with the biggest smile on her face!

But to get down to the seriousness of this award for Kelsey, it is my understanding that she is on her first year or two on that unit. I absolutely would have bet my next paycheck she was seasoned up there until a fellow nurse who trained her, confirmed this. That is how I know Kelsey is in her spot in life. She has figured it out already. She was meant to heal and fix all aspects! of the human body. Her professionalism went beyond that floor. Her intelligence of her position went beyond that floor. I learned so much from her and so did L clinically that I would have never known. She offered compassion selflessly. Another quick tid bit: When L had to switch rooms and nursing staff changed it was not the same for me (don’t get me wrong, I was still very impressed with what I saw), and the day I saw Kelsey had a moment and she stood outside of L’s room checking on us, I almost broke down in tears because seeing her brought back every feeling a mother would want for their child and I could also see the relief in L’s eyes. With that said, not only will L remember Kelsey forever, but Kelsey did something extraordinary…she also healed a mother’s heart. I have no doubt that someday Kelsey will make a phenomenal mother and I hope this world gives ten-fold back to what that girl did for us.