Sarah Higgins
April 2026
Sarah
Higgins
,
BSN, RN
Critical Care 4 West
Meritus Medical Center
Hagerstown
,
MD
United States
Sarah is an outstanding role model, and I am deeply grateful for the calm, capable, and kind presence she brought to one of our most challenging days.
I am writing to recognize Sarah, RN, for her extraordinary care and compassion while my husband was a patient in the Critical Care Unit at Meritus Medical Center. He lives with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis and was admitted due to mini seizures, leaving him temporarily unable to speak. During this vulnerable time, Sarah's clinical expertise and deep empathy made all the difference.
When my husband began gesturing to his chest in pain, Sarah responded immediately. She communicated with him both non-verbally and verbally, quickly assessing his needs and initiating the appropriate medication for relief. What stood out most was her thoroughness. She took the time to check all his vitals before leaving to get the medication, ensuring nothing was overlooked. Her attentiveness and timely presence brought immense comfort during a disorienting moment.
Sarah also showed remarkable emotional intelligence when navigating my frustration as his wife and caregiver. While a head CT and follow-up head CT 24 hours later is standard protocol to rule out a major stroke, I was deeply concerned about the possibility of a mini stroke and wanted him to have an MRI in a specialized unit that would safely accommodate his metal implant. Insurance restrictions limited this as an inpatient, but Sarah didn't dismiss my worry. Instead, she listened with compassion, validated my perspective, and fully supported the plan to pursue the MRI as an outpatient, the step I believed would give us the clarity and peace of mind he needed.
One small but powerful moment stands out. I brought in a Bose speaker and a device to stream Pandora into his room, hoping to bring a source of peace for him during long nights and quiet moments, offering him dignity and calm when he felt most isolated.
Sarah embodies what nursing at its best looks like: professional, down-to-earth, an exceptional listener, and deeply knowledgeable. She follows through with precision on what she can control and meets the rest with compassion, creativity, and quiet advocacy. She doesn't just care for patients, she cares for the families, too.
Sarah is an outstanding role model, and I am deeply grateful for the calm, capable, and kind presence she brought to one of our most challenging days. Sarah deserves this recognition and so much more.
With gratitude and appreciation.
When my husband began gesturing to his chest in pain, Sarah responded immediately. She communicated with him both non-verbally and verbally, quickly assessing his needs and initiating the appropriate medication for relief. What stood out most was her thoroughness. She took the time to check all his vitals before leaving to get the medication, ensuring nothing was overlooked. Her attentiveness and timely presence brought immense comfort during a disorienting moment.
Sarah also showed remarkable emotional intelligence when navigating my frustration as his wife and caregiver. While a head CT and follow-up head CT 24 hours later is standard protocol to rule out a major stroke, I was deeply concerned about the possibility of a mini stroke and wanted him to have an MRI in a specialized unit that would safely accommodate his metal implant. Insurance restrictions limited this as an inpatient, but Sarah didn't dismiss my worry. Instead, she listened with compassion, validated my perspective, and fully supported the plan to pursue the MRI as an outpatient, the step I believed would give us the clarity and peace of mind he needed.
One small but powerful moment stands out. I brought in a Bose speaker and a device to stream Pandora into his room, hoping to bring a source of peace for him during long nights and quiet moments, offering him dignity and calm when he felt most isolated.
Sarah embodies what nursing at its best looks like: professional, down-to-earth, an exceptional listener, and deeply knowledgeable. She follows through with precision on what she can control and meets the rest with compassion, creativity, and quiet advocacy. She doesn't just care for patients, she cares for the families, too.
Sarah is an outstanding role model, and I am deeply grateful for the calm, capable, and kind presence she brought to one of our most challenging days. Sarah deserves this recognition and so much more.
With gratitude and appreciation.