I have gotten the opportunity to work with April at a couple of different bedside shifts when I’ve floated to the PICU and have seen the level of compassionate and excellent care she delivers. She embodies what a nurse is in how she collaborates with her fellow nurses and intensivists, with engagement in being a calming, empathetic presence to families in a stressful/critical situation, and is a go-to point person for many people on her unit for questions and resources.

April jumped in with me on admitting a sick kid and had the patience to be a gentle voice of encouragement throughout, as well as helping provide guidance and direction on what the next things to do were, as there seemed to be a lot of orders and things needing attention coming in. It felt like she was 10 places at once, filling needs when she saw them, without it feeling chaotic.

Every team needs an April on it, and Children’s is lucky to have her on their team. I am recognizing not just her work that she does with excellence, but also for the ways that she pushes others to step into their best version of nursing for themselves. I’m hopeful I can be half the nurse she is one day.