Avery made a horribly difficult experience as easy as it could possibly be. My husband of 45 years had been fighting ICCA for 3.5 years, and the tumors in his liver had finally compromised its ability to function, and his kidneys were failing when he was admitted.

Avery was professional and efficient, as we have seen with all the nurses in this unit, but what particularly stood out was her high level of compassion and caring. She treated my husband with so much kindness and respect, and she made all of us family members feel relieved and comforted that he was in such capable and caring hands. There were two outstanding things that Avery did that made her truly stand out. She created a keepsake for each family member, which was a card with a lovely poem on one side, and she glued a strip of his EKG onto the back. We were so touched. We will have his heart print forever. I can't wait to frame mine.

Beyond that, Avery came into the room at a time when I was quite emotional. She sat down and asked me to tell her about my husband and our life together. We had a wonderful chat as I talked about him and could introduce the real man to her. She let me tell her a little about the incredible man that he is versus the shell of a person that she was treating as a patient, and that meant so much to me. I will forever be grateful for her kindness in such a devastating time. She eased our pain. I'm so glad that Avery found her calling in nursing, and I know she will accomplish much in her career. Her patients are lucky to have her.