The nominator had this to say about Agnew’s efforts: “I was freezing cold and shaking, suddenly full of anxiety I had never experienced before. Jessica wrapped me in warm blankets and started to talk with me. When Jessica saw I was uncomfortable, she moved what could be moved and made me comfortable. Without her personal care and empathy, it could have been an awful experience, so thank you Jess.” Chief Nursing Executive Rachel Harris says it was a privilege to give Agnew this award, and that her compassion is unmatched. “Jessica spends time getting to know each of her patients so that she has something meaningful to talk with them about as she preps them for high-risk procedures,” Harris said. “She has a very calming presence on top of being an incredible nurse.”

“I was in the hospital for about a week. I met a nurse—Megan Conley—and she was so sweet. She held my hand and gave me a hug when I needed it most. That sweet nurse helped me through a very tough moment. She became a friend, not just my nurse. Megan impacted my life more than she’ll ever know. I’d like to say thank you and tell her how grateful I am for her.”

Olivia was nominated by a family whose baby stayed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). She was highlighted as being positive, encouraging, hyper-attentive to detail, a team player, and constantly assuring to the family. “We are so grateful to have had her throughout our stay and will never be able to say thank you enough,” said the family.

“Lexun had a young patient from way out of the area transferred here for a higher level of care following a ruptured brain aneurysm. The patient had been slowly improving but was depressed and couldn’t speak well, thus, unable to use the regular phone. Lexun had been using her personal phone and setting up hours-long FaceTime calls for the patient with her children, who had been unable to visit her. The patient’s family bragged about her so much. It was richly deserved.”

Keri was nominated by the family of a child who stayed in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) after experiencing cardiac arrest. Keri’s nominator noted she loved and cared for the child as her own. “If it wasn’t for his amazing nurse, Keri, who took control of the situation he would not be here today,” said the family.

"I had a mostly uneventful hip replacement with some absolutely wonderful nursing care afterwards. Everyone was so helpful and friendly, but two nurses stand out...Susan and Shelia. I adore them both! They took such great care of me. I wouldn't have wanted anyone else. Susan is so smart and attentive. And Shelia is so friendly and upbeat. They both exude such positive attitudes and made me feel so comfortable and have incredible bed side manner. If any rewards were to be had, I'd nominate them both. I was extremely lucky to have these two ladies taking care of me. I would love to thank them so very much for catering to my every need. When I went to the nursing home after for rehab, I thought to myself, I sure miss Susan and Shelia. You have the utmost best in these two employees."

Omar was nominated by a former patient who said he is one of the best nurses the patient has ever had. The nomination details Omar’s care, saying every hospital experience would be better if all nurses provided the same thoughtfulness and compassion. The former patient wrote, “He’s sweet and the most kind person.” “Omar is a very deserving recipient of this award, and I’m pleased that we were able celebrate him and highlight his dedication to his patients,” said Erlanger Chief Nursing Executive Rachel Harris. “Erlanger is incredibly lucky to have nurses like Omar who take the extra step to make patients, visitors, and coworkers feel cared for like family.”

"I just wanted to say I received great care from all the staff while in the OB ER and High Risk OB unit. One nurse that went above and beyond was Dee. It has been a very stressful event to go in for a routine appointment at 30 weeks pregnant, and be admitted to monitor for preterm labor concerns. I was to go home after one night, but Dee noticed decelerations with some contractions. She advocated for me and called multiple doctors to express her concern. She took the time to explain her concerns to us and educate us along the way, all while keeping us calm. We ended up staying another night due to her advocating for us, and to take precautions for our baby girl. Because of her we felt very safe and in great hands. I really hope she is recognized for all of her hard work. This includes all the other great staff as well."

"Daniel Linebaugh is the best caring nurse that I have ever been in contact with. My husband was air lifted to Erlanger Baroness hospital. Daniel was my husband’s nurse while he was in the hospital for 25 days. He treated my husband with the utmost care. He treated my husband and me as if we were Daniel’s own father and mother. God bless Daniel Linebaugh and all of our nurses."

"This note is in regards to a spectacular nurse RN Soosamma Mathai to let her know that she is special through and through. She was a light in my world while I was in the hospital. She was helpful and supportive in a way that warms the heart. Life happens and she was there to play her part. I want to thank her for her kindness which can never be repaid and for her understanding and the difference it made. She went above and beyond the call of duty."

"Words or gifts can never express how much we appreciate your kindness and care that you showed our son during his stay at Erlanger. Whether you know it or not you are in business with God. You work with Him everyday to save lives! If not for you and God, we wouldn't have himtoday”

“Due to COVID-19, we were unable to visit or be with my Dad in person. His nurse in MICU arranged for all of his children and grandchildren to attend a Zoom meeting to be with him for his last moments. My mother was able to visit for 20 minutes and they held hands and said their goodbyes. It was so emotional, but we were all able to see him for the last time. So thankful for my brother and my father’s nurse, Rachel, for arranging this for my family."

"Justin took care of one of Erlanger’s flight nurses who unfortunately experienced one medical crisis after another during Justin's shift. Justin recognized the signs early and fired the STEMI and STROKE pagers quickly. Justin's scrubs became so soiled from all of his hard work that we had to get him some surgical scrubs mid-shift. Justin goes above and beyond for his patients each shift and is an incredibly dedicated and hard worker."

“I wanted to bring to your attention a nurse by the name of Ali Sexton RN, who works at Erlanger’s downtown COVID-19 unit. My daughter was admitted to the downtown COVID-19 unit on August 7th and later died after being put on a ventilator. My granddaughter was also being treated for COVID-19 downtown – and was isolated there when my daughter died. My granddaughter was there without any family and she’s 18 years old. She lost her Dad less than three years ago. During this time, Ali hugged her, cried with her and checked on her every 10 minutes the entire 12-hour shift. The reason I’m writing this is because I’m well aware that the nurses who work the COVID-19 unit never get the thanks they deserve. Ali deserves to be commended for what she did for our granddaughter that day! She was an Angel put there for my granddaughter. “

"I recently spent three days at Erlanger’s ER and while most of the staff did a great job under the pressure, there was one nurse during my stay who was exceptional. Her name is Hope Steger. She never stopped the entire evening, always helping someone. I never saw her get upset or rattled. She always had a kind, soothing voice even when she was being talked to by an angry patient. I watched her calm them down and resolve the issue. She was great. And she gave me the best service while I was there. As a paraplegic I was limited in movement and she would always come help me. When I urinated in bed she changed all of my bedding and cleaned me immediately. And when she would walk by she always checked on the other patients, often just saying a kind word. For a 22-year-old, I found that to be remarkable. People always complain about bad service but people need to be complimented when they give great service Hope did. She's a great nurse who needs a kind word of appreciation."

"I came to Erlanger East to have a scope in the GI Lab. I had two wonderful nurses. One that specifically stood out was Christy. When she came into my room, she introduced herself, apologized for the delay, and informed me that she would be in the procedure room with me. She was comforting, positive, and compassionate. She talked to me about unrelated events to keep my mind occupied. When they came to take me to the surgery room, she, as promised never left my side. My provider was running late and sent another MD in to prep me and speak with me. This was a little unsettling to me as I still hadn't met or spoken to the provider that was performing my procedure. Christy made sure to stand closer by and allow for me to ask questions and advocate for me while my anxiety was elevated. When they placed me on my side and put the piece in my mouth for the scope she came to my side and she held my hand. She squeezed and rubbed my hands with hers as she talked about calming experiences until I was asleep. She was the first person I thought of when I woke up. It is small things, the touch of a hand, a kind word, a promise kept, a compliment, laughter, small things that makes the most incredible difference. I am grateful to her and to know that she will be helping other patients, who may be anxious, or afraid, or alone, not feel so alone."