C worried about what each passing hour could bring as her mother battled a life-threatening illness in the ICU at University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH).

While she’ll never forget the fear she felt during her mother’s stay in the hospital, Porter also says she’ll always remember the difference Aubrey Ford, RN made for her and her family.

“Aubrey took her time to not only educate us, but most importantly, to comfort us during one of the most terrifying times in our lives,” C recalls.

That compassionate care led C to nominate her for The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.

C’s mother was admitted to the ICU after suddenly becoming seriously ill and needing dialysis. As her mother continued to receive care, Porter says there was so much going on that she didn’t know what the days ahead would look like for her mother. However, she and her family felt secure whenever Ford was there, adding she knew her voice was being heard no matter the question she asked.

“Like a breath of fresh air, Aubrey came in with confidence, skill, and compassion. She managed that dialysis machine with exquisite expertise. She knew the answers to our questions with great understanding and conveyed such with great ease and professionalism,” C writes in her DAISY nomination.

While a loved one’s stay in the ICU can be filled with stress and anxiety, C says it turned into an experience that will stay with her and she wants to make sure Ford knows how much her care means.

“I will always remember the difference she made for me and my family,” C says. “From one nurse to another, thank you for taking such great care of my mother, Aubrey!”