My Dad encountered hurdle after hurdle battling pancreatic cancer. His next step was finishing radiation, when he ended up on 9400 with sepsis. Our biggest goal besides recovery was making the final radiation treatment early Monday morning.

Early discharges are almost unheard of. When we presented our dilemma to Dervla, she said, "Let's think outside the box." She reached out to the physicians for pending discharge orders, coached the night nurse through the steps, and then came back the next day with our goal in mind.

She got Dad out the door minutes after the start of her shift. He was able to complete this portion of treatment solely because of her. I wish she could have seen his face in his completion certificate picture. Not only did she show her care and compassion, but she also went above and beyond to help her patient meet a milestone that we thought was out of reach.