August 2026 Honoree
Brittany Michalowicz, RN
Our daughter was a kind-hearted and thoughtful person. When we were notified that she was in the ICU and not recovering from liver and kidney issues, we were advised to come to Fort Myers. We had to fly from Washington State, so it took 12 hours. We were hoping we would make it in time to see her one last time.
We arrived around 10:30 am, just in time for the doctors to make their rounds. We were greeted warmly by Brittany M. She was our daughter's one-on-one nurse and clarified what was going on in clearer terms. She was attentive to the various machines and screens surrounding her, taking time to explain what was happening.
Unfortunately, our daughter was sedated, and we weren't able to talk with her, but we did notice that her hair had been put into French braids, her favorite, by Brittany. If their roles were reversed, she would have done the same.
The outcome of speaking with the doctors, Brittany, and other professionals involved was that our daughter was basically on life support and not expected to improve. We were grateful to have such an intelligent and compassionate nurse. She helped us understand what her final hours would be like. She never took her eyes off her, and continued to evaluate her patient and her family members.
When our daughter's heart rate began to change, she called me to the bed, told me to hold her hand, and to get a hold of family members that had stepped out. Family gathered at her side, and she passed away.
Brittany told us to take our time, as much as we needed, and she called for a chaplain. Then Brittany came in with a prayer blanket made by hospital volunteers. Brittany knew intuitively when to present this meaningful end-of-life gift along with the small glass jar with EKG tapes of her last heartbeats.
In closing, I would like to recognize Brittany M as an extraordinary, intelligent, compassionate, and thoughtful person, much like our daughter.
We arrived around 10:30 am, just in time for the doctors to make their rounds. We were greeted warmly by Brittany M. She was our daughter's one-on-one nurse and clarified what was going on in clearer terms. She was attentive to the various machines and screens surrounding her, taking time to explain what was happening.
Unfortunately, our daughter was sedated, and we weren't able to talk with her, but we did notice that her hair had been put into French braids, her favorite, by Brittany. If their roles were reversed, she would have done the same.
The outcome of speaking with the doctors, Brittany, and other professionals involved was that our daughter was basically on life support and not expected to improve. We were grateful to have such an intelligent and compassionate nurse. She helped us understand what her final hours would be like. She never took her eyes off her, and continued to evaluate her patient and her family members.
When our daughter's heart rate began to change, she called me to the bed, told me to hold her hand, and to get a hold of family members that had stepped out. Family gathered at her side, and she passed away.
Brittany told us to take our time, as much as we needed, and she called for a chaplain. Then Brittany came in with a prayer blanket made by hospital volunteers. Brittany knew intuitively when to present this meaningful end-of-life gift along with the small glass jar with EKG tapes of her last heartbeats.
In closing, I would like to recognize Brittany M as an extraordinary, intelligent, compassionate, and thoughtful person, much like our daughter.
Thank you, Brittany, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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