I have worked in the CCU for almost 3 years as a Social Work Case Manager. I have had many interactions with patients, their families, and I am also constantly working closely with the CCU staff. I have always thought of Emily O'Brien as being an amazing nurse and I remember thinking that right away when I was first hired.

Emily is calm, cool, collected, but she is also COMPASSIONATE, empathetic, nurturing, and is an extremely talented RN clinically. Emily goes above and beyond for all of her patients and their families. The patients and their loved ones say wonderful things about all of the CCU staff, but when Emily is their nurse their praise for her does not go unnoticed. Emily is hard-working and she truly cares for her patients and it has been an EXTREME honor to see her in action these past several years.

Most recently, Emily prepared a patient that had been hers for almost 50 days to transition to a long-term acute care hospital. The patient was emotional, overwhelmed, exhausted and sad. Emily decided that she was going to give this patient a SPA day on her last day to get her ready for the move to the next facility. Emily gave her lotions and nail polishes and even painted the patient's nails. She gave the patient a small wooden angel that she could take to Kindred that would remind her of all the nurses that cared for her in the Heart Hospital. I was almost brought to tears seeing Emily pamper the patient while also supporting her emotionally and preparing her for the big day.

Emily is a true role model that exudes compassion on a daily basis. She is also one of the best nurses in the CCU, which I know from watching her, but I have also heard this from her colleagues.