Stephanie Hill, RN, BSN, MSN

I was seen at the WinnMed Emergency Department. Once they put me in the room, Steph came in and looked towards me to introduce herself, and we locked eyes. I had started to cry, and she took my hand, reassuring me that it would be ok and that nobody was disappointed or ashamed of me.

Despite the typical ED unpredictability, Steph was consistently checking on me just to give a gentle squeeze of the hand or to see if I wanted anything to eat. When it came time for my transport to arrive, she would not let me refuse to go without something for the road since I was being transferred three hours away. I finally relented so that she wouldn't worry about my hunger after I left and had even told her I wouldn't eat any of it.

About an hour and a half into the drive, I ended up eating every bite of a cookie the size of my head and probably the best cheeseburger I have ever eaten. Steph was one of three individuals who saved my life that day, and she deserves to be recognized publicly for it. She wasn't required to do any of that or give the empathy and genuine care she provided me, having seen and been a part of it firsthand during my employment there.

From the bottom of my heart, I will forever be grateful for this beautiful human.