Our father was 90 years old and had just completed his second round of chemo. He was suffering from an intestinal blockage related to his cancer. He was sent to the west side of the 4th floor for observation. There, we were introduced to the kind and highly competent staff that cared for him. He chose not to have surgery and followed a path of hospice. During this time, our primary concern was for his comfort. The staff of 4 West was absolutely magnificent in this regard. Although we appreciate and want to thank so many, Stephanie Fries, in particular, walked this journey very closely with us. She would proactively look for ways to make our father more comfortable.

She began each shift with a thorough examination of Dad. She did so much, like asking doctors if tubes that were no longer necessary could be removed, changing linens frequently, and keeping him clean and comfortable. One of the most notable aspects of Stephanie's care for our father is that even when he was unresponsive, she spoke to him, explained what she was doing each time, and looked at his face with warmth, care, and concern in every interaction. Beyond the pure medical care, Stephanie showed our family such kindness. She walked Dad's journey with him and us. She not only showed great compassion toward him but also our attending family. Stephanie helped us understand what to expect and helped us on our journey of grieving. Stephanie is rare and special to our family. This nomination is a small expression of gratitude for her significant contributions to our father’s care.