Monica Roth, RN

Last night, my little brother was involved in a motorcycle versus pickup accident. He was the one on the motorcycle. The last twenty-four hours have been some of the most emotionally exhausting of my life.

After being transported by ambulance to Northwest Texas Hospital, he underwent emergency vascular surgery and was later transferred to SICU. When my mother and I were finally allowed to see him, we were overwhelmed, exhausted, and terrified. That is when we met Monica.

From the very first moment, Monica met us with kindness, patience, and compassion. She took the time to carefully explain what was happening with my brother and what we could expect. We asked countless questions, often the same ones more than once, and she answered every single one with a calm presence and a genuine smile. Not once did she make us feel like a burden.

What stood out most to me was the way Monica cared not only for my brother, but for all of us. When my brother was awake, she spoke to him, not at him. She explained every step before she did it, whether it was drawing blood, adjusting his position, or administering medications. She treated him with dignity and respect in a moment when he was at his most vulnerable.

When my sister-in-law arrived, Monica extended the same level of care and compassion to her. She patiently answered questions in a way that was clear and respectful, never once talking down to her or making her feel inadequate. My sister-in-law was brought to tears more than once, not out of fear, but out of gratitude.

She never made me feel like I was interrupting or inconveniencing her, even though I know she had many responsibilities and other patients to care for. When Monica needed to reposition my brother or provide care that could have caused discomfort, she did so with remarkable gentleness. It was clear she made a conscious effort to minimize his pain while still providing the care he needed.

I have worked in healthcare on and off throughout my life, and I can honestly say I have never encountered a nurse with the level of compassion that Monica demonstrates. She does not just do her job; she truly cares for her patients and their families.

Monica meets people on some of the worst days of their lives. Yesterday, I stood at my brother’s bedside watching someone I have known since he took his first breath, lying broken in front of me. I was exhausted, overwhelmed, and doing everything I could to not fall apart. In the middle of that darkness, Monica was a steady, compassionate presence.

I will always remember this day as the day I almost lost my little brother. But I will also remember Monica, the nurse who brought light into one of the darkest moments of our lives and made it just a little more bearable.

Words cannot fully express how grateful I am for the care, dignity, and compassion she showed my brother and my family. Monica is truly a blessing, and she is more than deserving of this recognition.