I have never nominated someone for an award before, but Natalie inspired me and motivated me to do so. I met Natalie when my dad was in ICU after having a heart attack 2 days prior. My dad had excellent care before and after Natalie from all his nurses, but she really stood out for those two days that she cared for him and my family. There wasn't just one thing that Natalie did that stood out, it was her whole being. Her way of explaining things that helped my mom and me understand what was going on; the other nurses had explained it, but it just didn't fully click.
Natalie just had a way of calming us and assuring us that life was going to be okay no matter what happened with my dad. She laughed with us and let us cry. She became one of our family, so much so that when my dad was moved to a regular room and then had to be moved back to ICU, Natalie was the first person I wanted to run to, cry to, and hug. I knew she would help us get through it.
We did not see Natalie again during my dad's hospitalization, but I could not stop thinking about Natalie and how she touched my family's lives as well as all the other families that she continues to help and love. She is truly where God needs her be. Athens Hospital is extremely blessed and lucky to have her. I hope that she will know how much she meant to my family and me.