My son was recently diagnosed with a rare epilepsy condition. This has been an incredibly scary time for me and my family as we try to navigate this new diagnosis. While we have met some incredible staff as they helped my son pull through, Lauren stands out in a unique way. Not only did she treat me and my family with the utmost care and professionalism, but the thing that stands out the most is the way she made a connection with my son. Whenever Lauren walked into the room for care, it always felt like my son was her only patient for the day. She treated him with kindness and respect and spoke to him at his level without making him feel like he was just a child. The biggest thing about Lauren is that she helped my son navigate this new diagnosis and everything that it entails. He is now on a strict medication regimen, and it is due to her patience that he is able to take his medications by mouth on his own. This was one of my biggest worries going forward, and by treating my son with respect and patience, Lauren was able to help my son succeed in this task.

She made a personal connection with all of us, and every time she walked in the room, my son would light up, whether it was due to her cow flashlight that couldn’t “moo” or to her 2019 “cringe” dance moves. Lauren made the hospital stay a little less scary for him and for me. While Lauren was incredible at connecting with my son, she also made me feel at ease. I knew I could ask her anything and she would always be our biggest advocate. She took the extra time to make sure I had the correct knowledge about each medication, answered my questions repeatedly, or relayed my questions to the doctors 15 times a day without hesitation. Not only did she help my son navigate this new world, but she went above and beyond to provide me with resources to help me connect with support groups as I also try to navigate this new diagnosis. This diagnosis isn’t only for my son, it is for our whole family, and I am so appreciative that she recognized that. While this was a very scary time for my family I am beyond grateful that Lauren was a beacon of light during this time. I’m grateful to be out of the hospital, but I will miss our dance parties with Lauren.