Cropper was nominated by a fellow team member at TidalHealth not only for the compassion and exceptional care she provided to her mother, but also for the kind gesture she extended to her peer at a very delicate time of need.

She writes: “I was working my Certified Nursing Assistant shift at the Salisbury hospital when I got a call from the emergency department that my mother, who was battling pancreatic cancer, was here and being transferred to the ICU. She was very ill, and time was running out.

I made the difficult decision to clock out, even though I knew I couldn’t afford to lose the pay with my maternity leave looming and very few available vacation hours. Jessica was the charge nurse that night on the ICU and overheard me speaking with my partner about the situation.

Without hesitation, she offered to transfer 40 hours of her own vacation time to me to ensure that I would have what I needed to be with my mom at the end of her life and to be out on maternity leave when my child arrived. My mom always said I was favored by God, so I know he sent Jessica to me to carry me at such a heartbreaking time. I will never forget her or her kindness.”