My son was diagnosed with DIPG a year ago, was recently admitted to the hospital after tumor growth and hydrocephalus nearly caused him to stop breathing. We spent 10 nights in the PICU, followed by a week on the pediatric floor.

During that time, we had many caring and conscientious nurses, but Liz stood out. For J’s father and me, knowing Liz was working that night meant we could get some sleep; we could trust her to take the utmost care, positioning J, making sure he was clean and comfortable, and sweetly talking him through anything another care provider came in to do.

Even when he was intubated and not able to show his personality, she talked to him, and seemed to genuinely care for him and find him adorable. As a parent going through one of the worst things you could endure, that meant so much.

One of the first movements he made as he began to improve was raising his arm to wave goodbye to her one morning. Liz is an extraordinary nurse and caregiver and it made all the difference to our family.