Shadi is our nurse today on the surgery recovery unit here at Seattle Children’s. Not only is Shadi extraordinary with her bedside manner and attention to detail, but she is also a leader who I could easily see influencing others to adopt the same positive mindset. It was difficult to choose just one award to nominate her for.

Here is all she has done for us in the short time she has been with my son. My son had surgery on Wednesday morning. He had not had his gown changed since then. I also hadn’t seen anyone clean up the dried blood around his wounds or drain tube. She came in, assessed the room quickly, and immediately took action. She told me everything she was working on as she worked on it. She immediately changed his blood-soaked bedding, completely reset his bed station, and refreshed his supplies. She cleaned his wounds and placed the correct type of gauze near the drain port to prevent it from continually oozing.

She listened to my concerns and did everything she could to make me and my son comfortable, including medications and ensuring I could hold him comfortably to nurse. She was working with another nurse who was kind, but Shadi was wonderful at coaching her and explaining why certain actions were necessary.

She is so warm and caring. Getting to know my family and my son and making us feel like we won’t be forgotten in our tiny space in the hospital. She made a world of difference after having a hard adjustment from the care of the ICU to the general surgery floor. I so appreciate her, and I want her to be recognized.