I am writing to recognize the outstanding care given to my brother. Emily went above and beyond any expectation a reasonable person has for a nurse. My brother has been in and out of health care facilities for most of his life and most people he encounters are good hearted with good intentions, which is reassuring. However, I have never met anyone in any facility with the human compassion we have felt from Emily. I don't know how to put into words the level of healing we both felt when in her presence. She seems to have an unending patience and understanding, and always knows what to do. With what seemed like little effort on her part, she not only repeatedly reassured him while attending to his every physical and spiritual need, but she made a personal connection with him, clearly seeing what he needed to heal. Her understanding of his medical condition illustrated an amazing combination of compassion, education, and intuition that was unlike any care my brother had received in the past. Emily also worked with me with what seemed like little effort.

One day Emily was off and something triggered my brother and he attempted suicide. He was moved and Emily was no longer his primary nurse. Yet, when she returned to work, she called me and asked how she could help! He was refusing to speak with our family and would not see visitors. He was completely uncommunicative except for one word answers or gestures. Emily went to see him and convinced him to call me. She also ordered items to help with being comfortable and start on a path to the "living". By the next morning he was talking to me and starting to come out of the irrational behavior and fear of harm. This all would never have happened so quickly, or maybe at all, without the human touch offered by Emily!

She has an amazing gift and it would make me very happy if you would recognize her and thank her on behalf of my family-we will never forget her. I hope you will share my gratitude with her.
U of M is lucky to have Emily!