My 17-year-old son was on his 41st day as an inpatient at University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, TN. We had mostly remained in the ICU but had been transferred temporarily to the PCU on three separate occasions. On two of those occasions, we were blessed to have Anna Cherrie care for him.

Not only was she medically so efficient, but the love and humility she showed us will never be forgotten. She was so on top of every symptom he had and made sure he was clean, comfortable, and cared for. She even came to check on him when we were transferred back into the ICU after being on her floor for three days. She made sure he was still made to feel human and cared about.

When we were in the ICU for a GI bleed, he had a black, tarry BM that stained up his sand bed. As soon as we came back to her, she requested a new, clean bed for him. I knew those beds were not super plentiful, and her taking the extra initiative to preserve his dignity meant so much.

He had been rendered quadriplegic after this car accident, and the amount of peace and love she brought us outshone any medical professional we had ever encountered. I was not afraid to step out or even sleep when I knew she was his nurse. I could say without a shadow of a doubt that she would care for him as much as I did when I stepped out.

I am forever grateful.