Ruth is probably one of the most selfless nurses I know. She demonstrated what it really meant to go above and beyond in providing excellent care. Our friend and patient Mr. W had been very down in the dumps, withdrawn for weeks, and fighting a fight we couldn't imagine. To top it off, he's also in the hospital on his birthday. Ruth went beyond the call of a nurse to boost his spirits. When his face lit up with joy, it warmed my heart so much to see a spark within in again. Thanks for making the extraordinary possible and for being your amazing self! You're IV birthday banner will live on! The world needs more nurses like Ruth!

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Ruth had a patient who is getting ready to go palliative and is celebrating what is likely to be his last birthday. He is 35 with an end-stage diagnosis of cancer. She printed out and decorated a birthday sign that she was able to piece together from items she found around the unit, and at midnight, she went in and hung the Banner for him and wished him the very best of birthdays. This patient has had a long journey with us, and he is getting ready to transition to the next phase of his care. Ruth said since it will most likely be his last birthday, she wanted to make it special, or at least make him feel special for it. It was a very emotional thing, and the patient, who had been very down, smiled for the first time in a long time. He even took pictures to send to his family. These are the moments that patients and families remember. She also made a birthday sign and passed it around the unit so that he would know that we are with him on his journey. Ruth made a difference, and I don't think he or his family will forget what she did.