I am writing to express my deepest gratitude and to commend the exceptional care provided by one of your nurses, Matt, during my family member’s recent stay in the CVC-ICU. Our loved one was in the unit for three weeks and six days following a mitral valve repair, and while the entire medical team provided dedicated care, Matt’s compassion and commitment truly went above and beyond.

During those challenging weeks, which were often marked by small steps forward and setbacks, Matt cared for our family member on multiple occasions. Our first encounter with him was a phone call, made shortly after we had begun our two-hour drive to Ann Arbor. Matt thoughtfully informed us that our loved one had a difficult night sleeping, and she wanted a day of rest, and expressed that she wanted us to take the day off from traveling to Ann Arbor. We were hesitant about not making the visit, as we didn’t want our loved one to feel her situation was a burden to us. We expressed our concerns to Matt and our interest in talking to her on the phone, which would be challenging due to her weak voice after an extended intubation. Matt ensured that the connection happened. His consideration for our well-being, even as we felt the weight of not being present, was remarkable.

Later that day, when we called to check in, Matt’s kindness and the details he shared about our loved one’s day reassured us that she was truly in caring hands. His personable approach made us feel as though a family member was present. He relayed moments of conversation that he had with our loved one throughout the day. By the stories he was telling, we knew he was truly spending time with her as his stories matched things she would say and do. This was so reassuring. We ended that day feeling comfortable that we took a day for self-care, and our hospitalized loved one had company she needed as well. His demeanor reminded me of a young man caring for his own grandmother, extending the same warmth to our loved one.

We were fortunate to have Matt care for her again during a particularly difficult weekend, the same weekend we ultimately lost her. He remembered our previous conversations from weeks prior, a testament to his attentiveness and genuine care. On that Sunday, as our loved one’s condition declined, Matt immediately and clearly explained the medical situation and the adjustments being made. When our loved one expressed her wish to cease fighting, Matt acted swiftly and with great respect to involve the necessary medical team. He also demonstrated extraordinary empathy and creativity in helping us fulfill a deeply cherished wish.

This summer was going to be an exciting summer for our gammy as two granddaughters are getting married. Before her surgery, our grandma had asked for two wedding cards to sign in the event something happened during her surgery. These cards were for her granddaughters, who were to be the first grandchildren to marry. I brought the cards to her room the day before her surgery; however, due to a superstition, she decided that signing the cards before surgery might bring bad luck.

On her final morning, she wished to sign the cards but lacked the strength. Matt’s ingenuity in this moment was truly remarkable. We came up with the idea of signing the cards with a fingerprint. After an unsuccessful attempt of locating an ink pad, we then attempted markers with no success. Together, we came up with the idea that she could sign the cards with her heart. While I talked to her about the weddings, Matt ran EKG strips, which signify a heart signature on the cards. This thoughtful and brilliant idea resulted in a unique and deeply meaningful signature for her granddaughters’ wedding cards.

Furthermore, Matt went the extra mile to locate a handprint kit, ensuring we had one final tangible imprint of our precious Grammy. Beyond his outstanding care for our loved one, Matt also provided invaluable support to me as her patient advocate. Recognizing the emotional and logistical burdens I carried, he thoughtfully directed me to a private area to make calls to family and then took the time to personally check on my well-being. He acknowledged the unique challenges of navigating this role and, despite my not being his direct patient, his genuine empathy made me feel truly cared for. This level of compassion extended far beyond the expected scope of his professional responsibilities.

While words cannot fully express our gratitude, please know that Matt is an extraordinary nurse who made an immeasurable difference during a profoundly difficult time for our family. He is a true superhero in scrubs, and we are eternally grateful for the light he brought into our darkest days.

Thank you so much for caring for our Grammy like she was your own. She was so special to us. Your kindness, thoughtfulness, and compassion will forever be a memory we cherish