Rachel Perik
December 2025
Rachel
Perik
,
BSN, RN
PMR
Rush Copley Medical Center
Aurora
,
IL
United States
Rachel has a true gift. She shows what it really means to be an extraordinary nurse.
I am a family member of a patient who recently received truly exceptional care from Rachel, an RN on the Acute Rehab Floor. My mom recently underwent surgery to remove a tumor from her C-Spine. The early recovery was challenging and painful, and after a couple of difficult weeks, she was transferred to Rush Copley.
When we arrived and met Rachel, we were immediately greeted by a compassionate, patient nurse who cared for my mom, not just as a patient, but as a whole person. Whenever my mom needed pain medication, Rachel was there right away. Whenever she needed help getting up or going to the bathroom, Rachel was there – gentle, steady, and supportive.
When we had questions, Rachel didn’t just answer them; she listened, helped us problem-solve in the moment, and made sure we understood what was happening and why. And when my mom needed a laugh, she was there for that too. We brought in a little sticky toy that crawls down the wall, and Rachel jumped right into the fun, saying she’d buy one herself so that we could all race them down the wall during her next shift.
It may seem small, but it made my mom smile on a day she really needed it. Over the past several weeks, we’ve been in multiple medical facilities and have met many healthcare providers. I’ve been an emergency room nurse for the last 20 years, so I can confidently say I recognize great nursing when I see it. When Rachel walks into a room, she brings not only confidence in her clinical skills but also a level of humanity and kindness that can often be lost in the fast-paced world of healthcare today.
Rachel has a true gift. She shows what it really means to be an extraordinary nurse. She deserves this award for her dedication, compassion, expertise, and the way she cares for people – not just patients.
Our entire family would like to say thank you to Rachel for taking care of our mom and helping her on her journey to get back home! We are forever grateful and hope you win this award for what you did for our mom and what I can imagine you have done for many other patients.
Thank you, Rachel!
When we arrived and met Rachel, we were immediately greeted by a compassionate, patient nurse who cared for my mom, not just as a patient, but as a whole person. Whenever my mom needed pain medication, Rachel was there right away. Whenever she needed help getting up or going to the bathroom, Rachel was there – gentle, steady, and supportive.
When we had questions, Rachel didn’t just answer them; she listened, helped us problem-solve in the moment, and made sure we understood what was happening and why. And when my mom needed a laugh, she was there for that too. We brought in a little sticky toy that crawls down the wall, and Rachel jumped right into the fun, saying she’d buy one herself so that we could all race them down the wall during her next shift.
It may seem small, but it made my mom smile on a day she really needed it. Over the past several weeks, we’ve been in multiple medical facilities and have met many healthcare providers. I’ve been an emergency room nurse for the last 20 years, so I can confidently say I recognize great nursing when I see it. When Rachel walks into a room, she brings not only confidence in her clinical skills but also a level of humanity and kindness that can often be lost in the fast-paced world of healthcare today.
Rachel has a true gift. She shows what it really means to be an extraordinary nurse. She deserves this award for her dedication, compassion, expertise, and the way she cares for people – not just patients.
Our entire family would like to say thank you to Rachel for taking care of our mom and helping her on her journey to get back home! We are forever grateful and hope you win this award for what you did for our mom and what I can imagine you have done for many other patients.
Thank you, Rachel!