McKenzie Herbert, BSN, RN

My son was transported here via helicopter. We were alone, as the rest of the family had a 3-hour drive to make. My teenage son and I were terrified bc everyone started talking about extensive open-heart surgery as soon as that evening. McKenzie was the calm and comfort we needed. She let me hug her and cry on her shoulder all while being the strength and gentle spirit my son needed. 

Only a couple hours after we arrived, it was shift change, and yet McKenzie stayed on an extra 2-3 hours so that my son wouldn't have to change nurses before all his scans and testing were done. This was above and beyond and exactly the type of nurse we prayed for while en route to Vanderbilt. The morning of my son's surgery, McKenzie came and found us to tell our son how amazing he would do and what good hands he would be in. She prayed with us and encouraged us as parents. She was supposed to be his nurse after surgery, but her shift ended just as he was coming into ICU. She made sure to stay with him for a bit and to come and talk with us before leaving. 

The comfort she provided was by telling us she had seen him and preparing us for what he would look like when we saw him. She assured us his night nurse was amazing, and he was in great hands. Again, all of this was on her own time. Throughout our son's stay afterward, McKenzie would take her own time after her shift to keep coming to check on our son and tell him how amazing he was doing.  

McKenzie is the type of nurse every family dreams of because she not only provides amazing care, but she truly cares about her patients and their families. She will forever be in our hearts!