Our ninety-year-old father was in Corewell Butterworth for eleven days. During his stay, we needed to make a decision about having surgery. It was a difficult decision because the doctors warned about all the possible complications of the surgery.

Ultimately, we decided to go forward with surgery, which took place late in the evening. Shannon was the nurse on the floor while we were making this difficult decision. She was so friendly, compassionate, and straightforward with our dad and with us. Every interaction Shannon had with Dad was done with such kindness and gentleness.

Before our dad went to surgery, Shannon came into the room and asked if she could pray with him before he went. She offered so much comfort to us with this simple gesture, and we knew then that he was in good hands.

The next day, Shannon was not our dad’s nurse, but she came to the room to check on him anyway. Her calm, gentle manner was very comforting to all of us.

We are thankful for all of the staff at the hospital—including the receptionist in the surgery waiting room, the lab technicians, all the nurses and doctors—and especially for Shannon, whose care and compassion were such a comfort at a difficult time.