My mother-in-law was a patient and during her visit she was transferred to ICU because of her Code Status and once stabilized went back to Nasseff 10. Our family misunderstood what the code status was. My mother-in-law was reaching the end of her life and we needed to make some hard decisions and change that status. Natalie MacMillan welcomed us as soon as we walked into the her room with a calming voice and a diligent eagerness to make sure that she answered every question that we had. Everything she did with my mother-in-law to make sure she was comfortable, Natalie explained so the family was aware. Natalie not only made my mother-in-law comfortable, but also my family. My father-in-law has zero medical knowledge and Natalie made sure he understood. Natalie made sure that my husband understood that when his mother changed from Full Code to DNR that her and her team would make sure that the patient was well taken care of and would comfortably transition into end of life. It was just the way that Natalie talked with her calm and reassuring voice that changed the fear of the unknown to something the family could accept.

Natalie and the care team knew that my mother-in-law was not going to get better, and it was her time. When my husband and I returned a few days later Natalie was there again but not working in my mother-in-law's room but made a point to talk with us and made sure that we were taken care of and if we had any questions. Natalie didn’t forget what we as a family were going through. Natalie again reassured us as a family that she would be comfortable and that they would do whatever was needed to make sure that she was not in pain or distress when she passed away. We walked into her room and the lights were dim, soft music was playing and she had a warming pad on her - she was comfortable as she was transitioning to death. When we left several hours later, Natalie again acknowledged us and reassured us. We felt that we were the only ones she was caring for even though we knew how busy she was and how busy her unit was. Natalie needs to know what a ray of sunshine, hope and comfort she was to us as we watched my mother-in-law pass away. Natalie has a passion for her patients, and it clearly shows throughout her actions and conversations with the patient and the family. Natalie went above and beyond and has left a huge positive impression on our lives.