I am so touched and impressed by the amount of time and effort Emily spent improving communication methods for a particular family she was caring for in the RTU. The infant’s parents were both deaf, could not read, and both used Venezuelan sign language to communicate. Emily spent time coordinating and managing in-person interpreters - interpreters who took literal hours out of her day to communicate important information to these parents regarding the medical treatments and care for their child. She also created a visual guide that allowed the parents to select food and drink items during their stay, had it printed in color, and laminated for them to use. This visual guide allowed parents to be able to request the most basic, and yet most comforting items. 

Emily made an impact on this family, and I know they were comforted by having you as their nurse. She facilitated communication between caregivers and parents and increased their ability to communicate their basic—but important—needs. Equally as impressive is the example that Emily is for other nurses: her efforts were witnessed by everyone, from senior staff to new hires. She is a role model for doing the right thing, and not the easiest thing. What an amazing example she is of truly caring for her patients and going above and beyond to make sure they are taken care of.