Kelsey Carvalis, RN

My 22-month-old baby had a medical emergency where I found him unresponsive. By the time we made it to the ER, he was awake, alert, and talking, but this momma’s nerves were completely shot. This nurse immediately greeted us, and she was a familiar face after giving excellent care to a loved one and in passing at work. She started assessing my child while keeping me updated. Most kids would be terrified, but my child adored her. She played with him and provided age-appropriate care. She also kept me up to date on the plan. Once we knew he was stable, she then checked on my family and me. She provided not only patient-centered care, but family-centered care. Having had her as a nurse more than once, she exemplifies compassionate, patient-centered nursing and consistently goes above and beyond for her patients and their families.

What meant the most was how she treated my child not just as a patient, but as a scared child who needed kindness as much as medical care. Her attentiveness, clinical skill, and genuine empathy made an overwhelming experience far more manageable for our entire family. Because of her, my child felt safe, and we felt confident that we were in the best possible hands. As we were discharged, my almost 2-year-old said goodbye to her and said, "I love you." She is an outstanding nurse and truly deserves this award.