I have sat down many times in the last 7 months since we lost my brother-in-law to write this out. I am determined to finish this on Valentine's Day because the impact Latasha made on my family and on me will forever be carried in our hearts.

One day in July, I received a call from my niece to get to my sister's house quickly. She stated that my sister was doing CPR on her husband. I dropped everything and ran out the door. My sister and her husband live through the field behind me - so off on the golf cart I went. Nothing will prepare you to watch firefighters and EMS run a code in the floor of your loved one's home on a human that has been in your life since you were 3 years old. My sister married T when I was that young. I am his little sister by every definition that matters. After a pulse was established, they loaded up in an ambulance and to WakeMed Raleigh they went. I am not going to sugar coat this and say that everything was perfect, it wasn't. There were wait times, communication concerns, and a strong personality that started that short hospital stay but one of the longest days of our lives. The experience truly shifted when Latasha Phillips started her shift.

After report, she came into the room, introduced herself again, told us how sorry she was that we were all here and meeting like this. She stated how sick T was, she told us it was going to be a long day but that we were all doing it together. She said I will explain to you and him everything I am doing. She explained that sometimes she will be talking to herself but that if we don't understand, just to stop her and ask questions about that as well. She asked us if there was anything she could get us right then. And when there wasn't she explained her assessment as she completed that first one of many for her shift. When she left the room for the first time that morning, I looked at my family and said, she is going to be amazing.

Throughout the next 12 hours her skill, knowledge, compassion, and abilities shone through in literally every step she took. She coordinated goals of care conversations between the providers and us. She was honest while understanding where each person was with acceptance and hope. She advocated for the next steps when she knew we were ready to discuss them. She clarified wishes when it was confusing and unclear, and so devastating and scary for us. I have been a nurse for 27 years. In those years, I have watched, worked with, coached, and mentored many nurses. I have been the recipient of coaching and mentoring from many as well. Nurses navigate through times that are the happiest, scariest, and worst of people's lives. It is a calling. Latasha Phillips takes that calling to a higher level than is expected. She has perfected creating a safe environment for families to work through grief and choose dignity for their loved ones. Her clinical skills are so strong that even with the sickest patient, she does not skip a beat, not reacting but seeing at least 3 steps ahead to anticipate what life-saving measures are needed. Her interdisciplinary relationships are respected; you can tell in each interaction with the team. I am 110% sure many families feel this way also, and if she is not getting a DAISY nomination every day, because of my experience, I can say that it is hard to put this into words through your grief. Latasha, thank you. We will never forget you.