During my husband's hospital stay, we had the incredible blessing of being cared for by a truly special nurse: Melissa.

Melissa, Melissa, Melissa. In these times, it's not so easy to find empathy, compassion, hospitality, kindness, and gentleness all wrapped up in one person. But we were blessed to find all of that in our nurse, Melissa. From the very moment she walked into my husband's room, we were greeted with impeccable, high-quality care. Melissa made sure every concern was addressed promptly, ensured that all medical equipment was functioning properly, and stayed on top of every detail, from vital signs to comfort needs. She answered all of our questions with patience and clarity, every single time she entered the room.

What touched me most was her thoughtfulness. Even though housekeeping came through daily, Melissa went above and beyond, tidying up small things, disposing of cans, cups, and wrappers, and keeping the room clean and peaceful. Nothing escaped her notice. Melissa's compassion reminded me of being cared for by a loving mother or grandmother. Her empathy was genuine, her presence calming. Not once did we feel like we were inconveniencing her, no matter how small our requests.

Before leaving the room, she always asked if we were okay or needed anything else. Melissa cared for us tirelessly from 7:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m., with excellence and heart. Every hospital needs a Melissa. We also would like to give a special shoutout to Amanda and Chandler, our daytime nurses from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Two angels walked in just as Melissa bid us farewell, and they carried that same spirit of compassion and care.

We are deeply grateful for the incredible care. Melissa truly exemplifies the best of nursing.