I am writing to share my heartfelt gratitude and admiration for an extraordinary nurse, Ms. Kymelle Long, who provided care to me at Ascension St. Vincent’s Southside Hospital. Over the past two years, I have been dealing with constant, unanswered medical issues that have led to countless doctor visits, urgent care trips, and specialist appointments. I have spent endless painful hours navigating the healthcare system, along with significant financial strain from copays, antibiotics, and medications. Every single medical professional cannot explain what is wrong and will dismiss me. In all that time, I have never encountered a nurse with the level of compassion, empathy, and genuine care that Ms. Long showed me. Ms. Long is the rare kind of nurse who clearly entered this profession for the right reasons. Despite how busy she was, she took the time to truly listen to me, check in with me, and acknowledge what I was going through. She never rushed me or dismissed my concerns. Instead, she made me feel seen as a person, not just another patient. She consoled me when I felt overwhelmed and advocated for me when I struggled to speak up for myself, something I find very difficult to do.  I lost my mother to breast cancer at only 21 years old. Before her passing, I accompanied her to many medical appointments, and through that experience, I learned just how rare it is to find a truly compassionate nurse. Now, I attend my own appointments alone, something I never had to do before losing her. Ms. Long stepped into that space with kindness and understanding in a way I didn’t even realize I needed. What meant even more to me was that when Ms. Long’s shift ended, she made a point to stop in and check on me one last time to see how I was feeling. That small act spoke volumes. I asked for her name because I wanted to nominate her for a DAISY Award. Although I was unsure whether the hospital participated in that program, I knew her care deserved to be recognized. I even asked the discharge staff whom I could speak with because I felt so strongly about sharing this. Ms. Long has made me feel more seen, heard, and cared for than any medical professional I have encountered in the last two years. I am writing this because she truly deserves praise and acknowledgment for the way she treats her patients. I will never forget her or the comfort she provided me during such a vulnerable moment in my life. All nurses should strive to provide the level of care Ms. Long does, and I have no doubt she leaves a lasting impact on every patient she encounters. Thank you for taking the time to read this and for employing such an exceptional nurse.
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During our emergency room visit, Kymelle went above and beyond in every possible way, turning a stressful and emotional situation into one where we felt genuinely supported, cared for, and understood. From the moment she stepped in, her calm presence, kindness, and professionalism immediately put us at ease. Kymelle demonstrated exceptional clinical skill while also showing true compassion, not just toward us as patients, but especially toward my son. She treated him with patience, gentleness, and reassurance, making sure he felt safe and comfortable despite the circumstances. As a parent, seeing the level of care and respect she showed him meant everything to me.
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She took the time to explain what was happening, answered questions thoroughly, and advocated for our needs while maintaining a warm and reassuring demeanor throughout our entire visit. Even though being in the emergency room is never ideal, Kymelle made an incredibly difficult experience feel manageable and human. I’m beyond thankful that we were fortunate enough to receive her care. Her dedication, kindness, and exceptional interpersonal and clinical skills truly exemplify what an outstanding nurse and role model should be. I will be forever grateful for how she treated my son and our family, and I sincerely hope that every patient has the opportunity to experience the level of care Kymelle provides.