Amber Hope
August 2025
Amber
Hope
,
RN
Emergency Department
St. Francis-Emory Hospital
Columbus
,
GA
United States
My grandfather was transported by ambulance to the ICU on a Friday, right after Christmas. My grandmother had just returned home that day from an overnight stay at the same hospital due to medical complications. By Sunday, we were informed that my grandfather was suffering severely and likely would not live much longer, nor was he a candidate for any kind of long-term treatment to resolve his issues.
On that same day, my grandmother returned to the hospital emergency room due to her medical complications arising once again. By the time my grandmother arrived at the hospital, my grandfather had already begun receiving treatment to ease his pain. His room in the ICU was full of family and friends. While he rested, some of us went to the emergency room to visit my grandmother. My aunt was allowed to see her, but I was asked to remain in the waiting room due to the single visitor policy.
About 5 minutes had passed when Amber Hope approached me in the waiting room and asked me to follow her into the ER. She explained that everything was ok, and that I would be allowed to visit my grandmother even though my aunt was still there. She was making this exception because she was aware of the gravity of my family's situation. I was informed later in the day that no one even told Amber that my grandfather was in the ICU; rather, she noticed the "ICU" department name on my aunt's visitor tag and asked for more information - that is awareness.
Once my grandmother was settled in and had spoken with her doctor, we began to tell her about my grandfather's unfortunate state - he was dying. As expected, she wanted to see him. I found Amber and asked if we could transport her from the ER to the ICU for just a few minutes so that she could say goodbye. Without hesitation, Amber reassigned her other patients, and we began moving my grandmother from her bed to a wheelchair and made our way to the ICU.
When we arrived at the ICU, Amber positioned my grandmother at my grandfather's side so that she could hold his hand. Not only was my grandmother holding my grandfather's hand, but Amber held both of their hands as well. Amber spoke to them, cried with them, calmed and reassured my grandmother that everything was going to be ok. At this point, my grandfather was no longer communicating, but seeing the two of them together one last time was priceless.
My grandmother stayed with him for about an hour until we returned her to the ER so that she could be treated as well. On that return, we learned that my grandmother wasn't even Amber's patient. I am thankful that Amber was working on that day. On paper, Amber is a Registered Nurse. But she's far more than that. Amber is the most compassionate person I think I've ever met. What she did on that day was the most precious gift that my grandmother could have received - her final words with my grandfather. But Amber's awareness, sense of urgency, and compassion were just as meaningful to all of my family members and friends who were present. My grandfather passed away later that night.
I am forever thankful for Amber, and I will always remember her kindness.
***
This is Amber's 2nd DAISY Award!
On that same day, my grandmother returned to the hospital emergency room due to her medical complications arising once again. By the time my grandmother arrived at the hospital, my grandfather had already begun receiving treatment to ease his pain. His room in the ICU was full of family and friends. While he rested, some of us went to the emergency room to visit my grandmother. My aunt was allowed to see her, but I was asked to remain in the waiting room due to the single visitor policy.
About 5 minutes had passed when Amber Hope approached me in the waiting room and asked me to follow her into the ER. She explained that everything was ok, and that I would be allowed to visit my grandmother even though my aunt was still there. She was making this exception because she was aware of the gravity of my family's situation. I was informed later in the day that no one even told Amber that my grandfather was in the ICU; rather, she noticed the "ICU" department name on my aunt's visitor tag and asked for more information - that is awareness.
Once my grandmother was settled in and had spoken with her doctor, we began to tell her about my grandfather's unfortunate state - he was dying. As expected, she wanted to see him. I found Amber and asked if we could transport her from the ER to the ICU for just a few minutes so that she could say goodbye. Without hesitation, Amber reassigned her other patients, and we began moving my grandmother from her bed to a wheelchair and made our way to the ICU.
When we arrived at the ICU, Amber positioned my grandmother at my grandfather's side so that she could hold his hand. Not only was my grandmother holding my grandfather's hand, but Amber held both of their hands as well. Amber spoke to them, cried with them, calmed and reassured my grandmother that everything was going to be ok. At this point, my grandfather was no longer communicating, but seeing the two of them together one last time was priceless.
My grandmother stayed with him for about an hour until we returned her to the ER so that she could be treated as well. On that return, we learned that my grandmother wasn't even Amber's patient. I am thankful that Amber was working on that day. On paper, Amber is a Registered Nurse. But she's far more than that. Amber is the most compassionate person I think I've ever met. What she did on that day was the most precious gift that my grandmother could have received - her final words with my grandfather. But Amber's awareness, sense of urgency, and compassion were just as meaningful to all of my family members and friends who were present. My grandfather passed away later that night.
I am forever thankful for Amber, and I will always remember her kindness.
***
This is Amber's 2nd DAISY Award!