As I prepare to leave York Hospital, one of the hardest parts is saying goodbye to the incredible people I’ve had the honor of working with. 

Among them, Abigail Strouse stands out as someone truly exceptional. We have all been so fortunate to know her. Abigail is a smart, kind, professional, respectful, and compassionate leader. Her presence alone brings comfort. You can feel the support behind her warm smile. She greets us with genuine kindness and always asks how we’re doing, and she means it. She is truly committed to supporting nurses and never hesitates to go the extra mile to improve patient care, staff wellbeing, and satisfaction. 

I’ll never forget the time during the nursing shortage when Abigail stepped in as a sitter for a patient, but she didn’t just sit; she bathed the patient, supported the nurse, and truly got involved. A new graduate came out of the room, shocked, and said, “She bathed my patient!” I just smiled and replied, “The more you get to know her, the less that will surprise you.” 

Another time, we had a young patient with multiple health challenges who stayed with us for months after LVAD implantation. His days were filled with tests and procedures, and walking was a key part of his recovery. Sometimes, when he was ready for a walk, we couldn’t get to him right away, and that caused understandable frustration for him and his family. When Abigail heard about this, she immediately  gave me her phone number and said, “Call me anytime, and I’ll come help walk him.” 

These are just a few examples of her endless kindness, dedication, and leadership. There aren’t enough words to thank Abigail for everything she’s done for nursing, patients, and this hospital. She truly deserves every recognition and award possible. 

Thank you, Abi, for being a shining example of leadership and compassion! People like you are the reason WellSpan is such a special place to work.