Suzi was a ray of light during the darkest time of my life. After delivering my first child, a son, stillborn at 36 weeks, I was in shock, despair, and felt helpless. Suzi was our nurse the morning we were discharged, and was the only person I could even fathom leaving my son with until the funeral director came to pick him up.

She held him with love and tenderness, treating him just as she would any other baby in her care. She asked me what his favorite song was so she could sing it to him while she rocked him in the nurses' station and made sure he was never alone. She let me know as soon as the funeral director came to pick him up and reached out to me personally on Mother's Day, asking how I was doing.

She is a shining example of what a nurse should be, and she has forever impacted my life, my husband's life, and my son's life. Not many people ever got to meet my son but I am eternally grateful Suzi is one of the few people who did.

Thank you, Suzi, for everything you did for my family and all the comfort I know you offer other families daily.

P - Compassion: Suzi showed nothing but compassion for the horrible situation my husband and I were in from the moment she was assigned to our care.

E - Empathy: Suzi cried with us when cardinals showed up at our hospital window, and we all agreed it was our little boy letting his mommy and daddy know he was alright. She told me she still checks that room's window for cardinals every time she enters it.

T - Trust & Teamwork: Suzi was an integral part of the entire team who cared for us during our stay. She worked with other nurses and hospital staff to ensure we had whatever we needed while we were under her care.

A - Admirable Attribute: Suzi has an incredible ability to spark joy in others in even the most heartbreaking of circumstances. Her loving nature made me feel cared for completely and her nature happy disposition was the strength I needed to get through the hardest day of my life.

 L - Love for the Patient & Nursing Profession: Suzi cared enough about me personally to reach out on Mother's Day, a day she knew would be hard for me, and share a beautiful message of love and support.

S – Selflessness: I can't imagine caring for a baby who has passed would be an easy task emotionally, but Suzi never acted like we were a burden and instead prioritized our needs and emotional wellbeing.