Ms. Shull provided exceptional care she has provided as a home health nurse to a patient with neonatal diabetes. To say that she went above and beyond does not fully capture her hard work, compassion, and dedication.

Ms. Shull was tasked with supporting a family caring for their newly diagnosed infant with neonatal diabetes. Her initial responsibilities included assisting the family during insulin pump and glucose sensor changes and ensuring the baby’s feeding and growth were on track. However, the situation was far more complex than a typical case. The family had recently immigrated to the United States and were unfamiliar with the American healthcare system. The mother spoke little English, and the father was struggling to come to terms with the diagnosis.

Recognizing both the medical and emotional challenges this family faced, Ms. Shull immediately went the extra mile. She made herself available around the clock, offering guidance and reassurance whenever the family needed help. They often called her to troubleshoot the complex diabetes devices, and on one occasion, she even went to their home in the evening to provide hands-on assistance. When thanked for her efforts, she humbly brushed it off as "nothing."

Ms. Shull also noticed that the family was struggling to understand carbohydrate counting and dietary education. Without being asked, she took additional time to teach the mother how to count carbohydrates, practiced meal preparation with her, and even cooked alongside her to reinforce learning through real-life examples.

Beyond her clinical responsibilities, Ms. Shull also stepped in to help the family navigate specialty pharmacies and medical supply requests, a process made even more difficult by language barriers. She contacted companies on their behalf, coordinated with the medical office, and ensured that the baby consistently received the supplies he needed.

At one point, the father became frustrated and directed his anger toward Ms. Shull, despite her having done nothing wrong. She never complained or allowed it to affect the care she provided. I only learned of the situation from someone else. Her grace, forgiveness, and calm professionalism in that moment were deeply admirable. She continued working with the family as if nothing had happened, demonstrating true compassion and dedication to her patient.

Without Ms. Shull’s involvement, I am not sure this baby would be where he is today. She is a shining example of what it means to serve both patients and families with empathy, skill, and resilience.

HSHS’s vision is to be "the unique, high-quality health system providing exceptional care, centered on the whole person." Its core values of respect, care, competence, and joy are exemplified every day through Ms. Shull’s actions. She truly embodies the spirit of this mission and represents the very best of nursing.