... I walked into the Mercy ER carrying a disk of images from an MRI I had just received showing a mass on my spine. I was with my family, extremely nervous and overwhelmed, and scared of the unknown. Amanda was the first person I saw and was already aware of who I was because of a call from the radiologist. She was quick to help get me checked in and taken care of. Several hours later, following additional testing, medication, and a plan for follow up, my family and I started to again walk through the ER following discharge. I heard a voice yell, "Where are you going?" It was Amanda checking in on me.

Following a brief conversation Amanda asked that I wait a few minutes as she personally went to find a social worker. I am without health insurance and Amanda wanted to ensure I only left with all of the information for the greatest care possible. After meeting with the social worker, it was decided I would remain in the hospital and have surgery to remove a tumor from my spine. I feel certain that Amanda was the person that I needed that day, to look out for me as a patient, and take it upon herself to explore all possible avenues of care.

Amanda was a special and extremely important key to my care that day. I am so thankful for her, and everyone at Mercy, for their clinical expertise, compassion, and for giving me the care I needed. Michelle went above and beyond what anyone could have expected and she is deserving of recognition for her important work.