February 2026
Amanda
Grabowski
,
BSN, RN
9 south
Advocate Christ Medical Center
Oak Lawn
,
IL
United States
At the scariest moment of my life, I witnessed Amanda’s hero cape flying high.
I am honored to recognize Amanda Grabowski, not only for her outstanding nursing skills but for her extraordinary act of selflessness when she provided life-saving care during a moment of crisis.
I discovered my 76-year-old father unresponsive on a couch. Amanda noticed my distress and ran to my aid. I shook when I called for an ambulance, but Amanda’s hands remained steady. She lowered my father to the floor and performed CPR. Her determination never wavered. I realize now her arms must’ve ached, but she didn’t stop. She never gave up.
There is no happy ending to this story. My father was airlifted to a hospital and passed away later that day. People tell me to seek comfort wherever I can, and so I find comfort in knowledge. And I know several things for certain:
1. My father was never alone. I was never alone.
2. Thanks to Amanda’s immediate action, my brother drove for more than an hour and made it in time to say his goodbyes.
3. My father received the absolute best care possible.
These nurses come to work, tuck their hero capes discreetly under their scrubs, and walk the halls as though they’re everyday people. Of course, for those of us with discerning eyes, we know better.
I didn’t have a typical hospital experience. Instead, I’m plagued with a gnawing question: If Amanda had not been present, would my one, long-ago high school CPR lesson have sufficed? Probably not. It was not a pretty day, but it could have been infinitely worse. You always hope that when it counts, when that emergency strikes, you will leap into action. Amanda did just that, and for her care, her compassion, and her resolve to never leave a man stranded, I am profoundly grateful.
At the scariest moment of my life, I witnessed Amanda’s hero cape flying high. She exemplifies what it means to be a nurse and caregiver, and I can think of no one more deserving of this recognition. Thank you, Amanda, for being my hero.
I discovered my 76-year-old father unresponsive on a couch. Amanda noticed my distress and ran to my aid. I shook when I called for an ambulance, but Amanda’s hands remained steady. She lowered my father to the floor and performed CPR. Her determination never wavered. I realize now her arms must’ve ached, but she didn’t stop. She never gave up.
There is no happy ending to this story. My father was airlifted to a hospital and passed away later that day. People tell me to seek comfort wherever I can, and so I find comfort in knowledge. And I know several things for certain:
1. My father was never alone. I was never alone.
2. Thanks to Amanda’s immediate action, my brother drove for more than an hour and made it in time to say his goodbyes.
3. My father received the absolute best care possible.
These nurses come to work, tuck their hero capes discreetly under their scrubs, and walk the halls as though they’re everyday people. Of course, for those of us with discerning eyes, we know better.
I didn’t have a typical hospital experience. Instead, I’m plagued with a gnawing question: If Amanda had not been present, would my one, long-ago high school CPR lesson have sufficed? Probably not. It was not a pretty day, but it could have been infinitely worse. You always hope that when it counts, when that emergency strikes, you will leap into action. Amanda did just that, and for her care, her compassion, and her resolve to never leave a man stranded, I am profoundly grateful.
At the scariest moment of my life, I witnessed Amanda’s hero cape flying high. She exemplifies what it means to be a nurse and caregiver, and I can think of no one more deserving of this recognition. Thank you, Amanda, for being my hero.