I loved all of my nurses and wish I could nominate them all. Mia was my nurse at all the right times during my journey of waiting for a new heart, heading to get my new heart, recovering from the stay, and then heading home. Her care and compassion were amazing. She encouraged me to keep walking for the 33 days I was waiting. She was there on transplant day and braided my hair, did all my final prep, and got me ready. She accompanied me to the OR and supported my family as they took me into surgery.

When I woke up, while she was not my nurse, she came to check on me more than once. And when I was ready to walk a longer distance, I visited her on KP-15. On my last day before heading back to Rochester, NY, I visited again, and she was the last nurse I saw. We both cried. It was a full circle. I know nurses see a lot of patients, and I am one of the many she will care for. Just as each nurse touched me in a special way, Mia will hold an extra special place in my new, strong heart. Thank you for your consideration!