... When I first started writing this I quickly realized I would need to type my nomination, not for the abundance of words that I have to describe Jill, but for the tears of gratitude that spilled onto the page when I began to write of her incredible soul. My father, Dr. B of Monticello, Arkansas, began his battle with cancer in early 2013. Dad was admitted to the hospital on 3 different occasions for a variety of reasons, low blood counts, fatigue and the need for more tests.

So much fear follows you when you're told that your loved one is being admitted to the hospital. It wasn't until Jill walked through the door that we took a collective sigh and knew we would be OK.

Jill became part of our family during our stays at the hospital. She did so much more than meet the medical needs of my Dad. She stayed and listened to the stories we told to remember life outside of cancer. She asked about the people in the pictures we brought to avoid the all-consuming sadness of extended stays on the Oncology floor. She offered to move Dad to a bigger room so that my Mom could have a place to sleep when she refused to leave the hospital. She came running, literally running, into the room when Dad was admitted for the second and third time to ask the why's and the how's and what she could do for him.

We were with Dad when he passed at BHMC - Little Rock. I left the room to notify a nurse and it was Jill who was standing outside the door. Tears welled in her eyes when I could do no more than say "He's gone," then collapse into tears. It was Jill who gave our family the strength we needed. And it was Jill who we were all so sad to tell goodbye.

Jill Krupsaw became part of our family during the worst time of our lives. She removed all of the worry about Dad's healthcare, and allowed us to just be together as a family for the fleeting time we had left with him. And for that precious gift, I will never be able to thank her enough.