My brother was recently a patient in your unit. Although the outcome of his discharge is not what we hoped for as a family, we wanted to recognize the exceptional care your team provided for him. All of your staff were so caring, compassionate, respectful, and sensitive in providing the necessary care for his diagnosis and, ultimately, poor prognosis.

I would like to recognize his dayshift nurse, Ashlea Freer. She is a master of her craft! She moves with skillful ease while caring for a critically ill patient, paying attention to the smallest details and changes in his status. She engaged with us, allowing us to introduce my brother to her beyond his current medical status. She also provided reassurance to my brother's wife, answering questions in terms she understood or obtaining providers to answer questions if requested. When I was alone with her in the room, she also included my brother in our conversations. He was more than just a "patient in a bed." She counseled me through my anticipatory grief while simultaneously attending to my brother, making sure he was comfortable and pain-free. She went above and beyond when my brother's wife requested to have his dog brought in as a part of his Honor Walk, as this was so important not only for him but for his constant canine companion to know he had not deserted her. When my sister-in-law requested what she thought was impossible, Ashlea made it happen. She grieved with our family after he had passed, all while having to complete her shift in caring for her other patients. It is an understatement to say your facility is very lucky to have her on its staff.

Thank you again for all of the care your facility provided not only for my brother, your patient, but also for our family as a whole.