Meredith remembered me from two months earlier when I was visiting, and my husband was the patient for a hip revision. She was upbeat, positive, and took time to listen with kindness. When she needed to be elsewhere, she immediately sent a tech to help.

She was gentle, had loving eyes, and made me feel like my requests were important to her. She was thorough on the shift change, handing me off to the night nurse with details of what was needed. She also complimented the night nurse, so I would have confidence in her, reassuring me that she would return in the morning.

Word didn't get to my husband that I was in my room for two hours, and I was alone and confused, and I couldn't move my toes. I had never had blocks before, and I truly worried that I was going to be paralyzed. The techs came and went, not talking to me, not addressing my fears.

When Meredith came in, she touched my arm, which calmed me, noticed my tears, and asked about my fears. She reassured me until my husband was located and didn't leave my side. She made my concerns feel valid and didn't hesitate to call a doctor regardless of the time.

Meredith showed that she loved being a nurse. I knew she had young children she probably wanted to be with during the holiday, but she made me feel like she wanted to care for me. Smiles that lit up her eyes and the room when she entered were always genuine and for me.