Ms. Edna cared for my father, G, in his final days of life, battling AML. He transferred from a hospital in Baton Rouge. I met Edna early on a Monday morning after staying overnight with my dad. Through experience with my son having two open heart surgeries at Ochsner, I knew we would receive best in class care.

Upon meeting Edna, I knew instantly that we had been blessed with a wonderful nurse that we could trust and depend on to give the care we were looking for and to be an advocate for my dad. We ended up requesting that Edna be assigned to my dad for as long as her schedule would allow. She provided medical care to my dad that was above and beyond the standard of care. She was so loving, caring, and compassionate with him and did everything she possibly could to help save his life. Edna is without a doubt a professional in every sense of the word, but what really sets her apart and in a class of her own is the connection, compassion, love, and support she showed my family and me during such a difficult time.

Edna was my dad's nurse, but she transcended her role and was our therapist and grief counselor. Through the darkest days of our lives, Edna was the angel on earth who held our hand and guided us through. She was scheduled to be off the day my father passed away. She ended up on the schedule with my dad, and I am certain this was at her request, not the scheduling mishap she told us about. Edna knew his time on earth was up and that we needed her by our side for one more day. The day of his passing will always be tough to think about, but I won't be able to think of that day without recalling how wonderful Edna Klein was and what a blessing it was to meet her. When one door closes, another door opens, and the silver lining we were blessed with through this unexpected tragedy is a new friendship that I am certain will last a lifetime. Ochsner is beyond blessed to have her on their team.

Note: This is Edna's 2nd DAISY Award!