Maria is a nurse who shows deep compassion towards her patients. My 97-year-old mother was fairly healthy until we found her in complete heart block. We were transferred to CFH, and a Micra pacemaker was implanted. Heart block and a pacemaker put her in a fragile state of health, much weaker than before. In her fragile state, further procedures did not seem feasible.

Maria provided comfort and direction to our family as we made health care decisions we did not expect to be making. She made sure Mother was kept comfortable at the hospital. She kept doctors informed of mom’s wishes, asking for the cancellation of orders for less “poking and prodding”, as mother said. She created a comfortable atmosphere for my mother and treated an elderly 97-year-old with respect.

Maria understood my mother’s feelings and desires to go home to her own house when the treatment plan was directed to palliative care. She listened to what my mother and family needed and made it happen with the doctors, social workers, and home care. She stepped up to speed up the process of discharge so we could be home. Maria even made arrangements before Mother was discharged for a few grandchildren from Chicago to visit her room for a wonderful few hours of family time. She created a comfortable atmosphere for my mother and treated her with respect and compassion. Plus, mother says, “she gives great hugs”. We saw nothing but how committed she is to the care of her patients.