I took my 2-year-old son to the Emergency Department after he fell and hit his head. This was his first real experience in a hospital setting, and understandably, he was scared. From the moment we met Marissa at triage, her compassion stood out. She treated my young son as his own person, speaking directly to him, acknowledging him, and giving him her full attention, which is not always the case in pediatric care, especially in a busy ED.

While she was consistently kind and patient, one specific moment truly captured the impact she had on us. Right before taking us to our room, she paused, knelt to his level, looked directly into his eyes, and said, “I know you’re probably feeling a little scared, but you are so brave, and we are going to take good care of you.” In that brief interaction, she anticipated and acknowledged his fear without dismissing it. She gave him reassurance in a way that was developmentally appropriate and deeply human. Watching her speak to him with such empathy immediately put both of us at ease. That small moment set the tone for the entire visit and transformed what could have been a frightening experience into one in which my son felt seen, safe, and cared for.

I know many nominations likely highlight extraordinary care over long hospital stays or complex medical situations. However, RN Marissa demonstrated that meaningful differences are often made in small, intentional moments of caring. Her compassion at triage set the foundation for our entire experience and had a lasting impact on both my son and me.