While there were many incredible medical staff members who took care of me during my stay, if there was one individual who stood out to me above them all, it would be Kelly Hunt. It is clear to me that her position here at St. E's is not just a job, but a ministry and a calling. Her ability to touch lives in her role is truly beautiful. As I have told others in my life about what a blessing Kelly was to me, I have also found others who were very impacted by her during their own stays in the Perinatal Services unit. So, on behalf of those other individuals and myself, I would like to nominate Kelly for the DAISY Award.

My baby girl was on the way. However, we had suspicion that there was a large chance she would not make it due much longer than birth due to a condition she was diagnosed with called anencephaly. At one of my check-up appointments with my OB, she mentioned that Kelly offered to meet with me at some point to discuss my birth wishes, especially with my baby girl E's condition. She said we could ask Kelly if she was free now, and Kelly offered to meet with me that very morning. Not only did she meet with me that morning on the drop of a hat's notice, but she also sat with me, cried with me, and answered every single question I had, which was many for the next two hours of her morning. She did not rush me. She did not tap her foot. She did not look at her watch during this very long and unplanned meeting. Rather, she shed tears with me and met me with endless grace and compassion. She shared her own journey of heartbreak of babies known in her own life (of those she loved) that were also lost.

Kelly went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure I was comfortable and all my fears (to the best of her ability) were calmed. She honored my wishes for E's birth, intentionally took notes while I spoke during that meeting, and followed up on things she did not have the answer to right away. She cared for every piece of our future visit by offering to get us a nice box of Kleenex, opposed to the scratchy ones they normally offered. She blessed my heart for years to come by providing a small keepsake box for my family, specially ordered for us to store handprints, footprints, etc. that were so graciously provided at the hospital. She special-ordered hand and foot molds for E so we could remember how sweet and small her little hands and feet were. Must I add, she was on top of it because everything she said she would do was completed by the time I got in, 5-6 days later, to deliver my baby, as I went into preterm labor. (Those hand and foot molds sit on my dresser top now. I look at them every single day and remember her. They are one of the most precious keepsakes that I have to remember my baby girl, so thank you.) She provided me the very best nursing team I could have had for my birth, that she made sure knew our wishes for E's birth, and then those nurses communicated them to the next team of nurses before they left.

From the moment we checked in at the hospital, we were met with care, intentionality, and superb hospitality. Kelly met us at the very front of the hospital, walked us back to our room that she had set up for us. She had told me I could text her prior to coming into the hospital so she could make sure the room we wanted was reserved and ready for me, so I could have the most enjoyable birth possible. She ensured I could be in that same room my entire stay, as opposed to switching rooms several times. She checked in with us throughout our stay, offered to get my husband and me whatever coffee drink we liked best that next morning, and reminded us she would check in the next day when she was departing for the night after her shift. She prayed with us, shared encouraging words with us that she felt led to share (and that I still hold dear to my heart to this day), and went above and beyond the call of duty. It is so clearly evident to me that she uses this role she is in not merely to get a paycheck but to impact the lives and hearts of those she comes in contact with. Please send a heartfelt thank you to Kelly for me, and let her know we truly appreciate her attention to detail and deep/genuine care.

Thank you, Kelly, for all you have done for our family, thank you for even blessing us by your attendance at our daughter's funeral (with the surprise of our two favorite nurses!), and for a beautiful flower arrangement. And thank you for your dedication to your patients that goes beyond the confines of the hospital, and was even there for me in my grief. A complete stranger to you, yet you treated me as family. Thank you.