I have known Tracy for years. She worked as an LPN on the unit, and she recently got her RN in June 2024. Since getting her RN, she has already gone back to school and is working on her BSN. She has signed up for CNNP and is studying to get her med-surg certification. She has also embraced the charge nurse role.

All of these are wonderful by themselves, but none of them is the reason she is being nominated for this award. Tracy stands out in the nursing unit as a resource nurse. She is a passionate advocate for her patients, always striving to make sure their needs are taken care of, never taking shortcuts when it comes to making sure her patients are provided for.

Recently, when we had a homeless patient on our unit, Tracy went out and got him shoes, a jacket, jeans, and even a pair of headphones. Recently, she had a coworker who got sick at work and was transferred to Macon. Tracy, despite having worked a twelve-hour shift, got off and went to buy her a phone charger, then drove to Macon to check on this co-worker. She was in the room with her when she found out she had terminal cancer. Tracy later asked her what she could do for her, and the coworker replied, "I would like some homemade cookies." Tracy proceeded to go home and bake the cookies.

Tracy received the following praise from the family of a patient she had taken care of:

"Our family got very lucky to have nurse Tracy during my father’s recent hospital stay. She was thoughtful and kind and had a heart for listening and showed generosity. She went above what she needed to do and made a huge impact on my family. We will forever be thankful for her."

 "One person did an awful lot of good during his stay, and we can’t thank you enough! Tracy’s kindness really touched our family’s heart. We will forever be thankful. If anything, a lot of nurses should learn from her and learn to love their patients as Tracy does."

Compassion is something that cannot be taught; it is ingrained. Tracy has this in abundance.