I was transferred to Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center from a local rehabilitation facility with severe pancreatitis while going through alcohol detox at the same time at the other facility. Being an alcoholic, this was not the first time I have had to seek medical treatment for my disease, and many times I have been met by the hospital staff at other locations that seemed to have the mindset that my disease was self-inflicted and therefore have been treated as if my issues were my own fault and the care and respect I received was reflected in their attitudes towards me. It would feel as if they thought I was less than human because I was an alcoholic. This was not the case with Nicole.

Throughout my stay at this hospital, Nicole treated me with the utmost dignity and respect as one would expect a nurse to treat someone with any other disease. Nicole was always kind to me and compassionate to my situation and the pain I was experiencing. She always ensured I received not only the medications I needed for my pancreatic issues but also made sure that my substance abuse detox continued, always receiving every medication on time. Nicole was attentive to all my unique needs as I also suffer from PTSD and other mental health issues. She showed a genuine concern as to how I was feeling both physically and mentally by continually checking up on me, working with the physicians to make sure my pharmaceutical and medical needs were met, and sometimes just giving me a smile and encouragement when I was going through a lot of pain and depression. She would reassure me that everything was going to be alright knowing that I was scared that I had done irreparable damage to my body. Nicole helped me to build the confidence to beat this disease once and for all and that is a debt which I can never repay. For the first time I was not embarrassed to ask for medications related to my addiction as she never once made me feel as though my disease was all my fault. The level of professionalism and proficiency that she showed was unparalleled compared to any previous experience I have had.

Nicole is not only a caring and compassionate nurse but also a wonderful human being and a true asset to the Sentara network. I truly believe she deserves this award because it is people like her who save the lives of people like me. I have left many facilities mid detox and instantly relapsed because of the lack of compassion and care and being made to feel less than. On this day, I am being discharged to go back to my 45-day program feeling much better, fully and properly detoxed, and full of inspiration, all due to the care I received from Nicole. Even as I write this, she is diligently working with the other facility to arrange my transfer. She deserves to be recognized as she has played a critical role in saving this alcoholic’s life. With my current medical issues, I doubt I had another chance at this. Had I been met with the typical care I've received in the past, I most likely would have left against medical advice and relapsed yet again. God had different plans for me this time and sent me an angel in scrubs, and for that, I will be eternally grateful.