Ashley Shaffer, Director of Nursing Operations, Centralized Staffing Department, received a Who’s Your Angel nomination from family member Jill Friye. The Blessing Foundation presented the Who’s Your Angel award on March 28.
Jill stated, “It has taken me two-and-a- half years to write this, but I need her to be recognized for what she did for my family and I. In December of 2020 my father got COVID and had to be hospitalized. During this time there could not be visitors without certain requirements to visit because at that time there was not a vaccine or at least for the public. I worked at the hospital and had COVID close to the same time my dad did. Ashley gave us something more valuable than anything in the world. She gave us time. My mother also had COVID around this time but was out of quarantine while my father was hospitalized. I reached out to Ashley as I needed help. She was able to give my mom and myself passes to visit my father as we were in the 3-month range. I know that my father was grateful for this and told us we needed to give her a gift certificate or something for this act of kindness (let’s just say she would not take it). Something I have never seen is my father afraid. The first time I visited he immediately needed to go for a scan of his lungs. I stayed and waited for him to return so he knew he had me there. Once he returned he looked at me shocked and thanked me for staying, in that moment I knew he was afraid. This broke my heart, but I was glad I was able to be there for him in his time of need. This also gave him the opportunity to Facetime with his other daughters, and family. My father was so excited that he was able to have us there. Every time my mom came his anxiety went down, his breathing was less labored, he was finally able to have some peace. My mother even dressed up for him like it was their first date and came over to my house asking if she looked ok. Again, she gave us time, gave him peace during this time and I am eternally grateful. Unfortunately, not much later my father was put on a vent and passed away. Another complete act of kindness by Ashley was that two weeks after his passing was my sons 1st birthday. She made my son’s smash cake and cupcakes for his birthday as my mind was somewhere else. She again would not accept payment for this. She is my angel, my friend, and forever someone I have looked up to as a nurse. You would think that she did this just for my family only, but I know her and she would have done this for anyone, any stranger who was suffering. She is one of the best nurses you could ask for and I hope you never lose her. Thank you will never cover what you have done for me and my family. We all love you because you gave my parents more time together and for that we are eternally grateful.”
The “Who’s Your Angel” program is an opportunity for patients and their families to express their appreciation to anyone in the Health System who had a positive influence in their healthcare experience. When the donor makes a financial gift of any size in the name of the employee and writes up a story sharing the experience, the Foundation deposits the gift to the patient care area or restricted fund that most closely matches the employee(s) being honored or the reason for the patient’s time with the Health System. This donation was deposited to the Nurse Education Fund. One hundred percent of Foundation gifts are designated to caring for patients in need.
Any staff member can be nominated for a Who’s Your Angel award, and nomination forms can be found in over 35 different departments within the Health System, from Palmyra to Hannibal, Pittsfield, to Golden and more! For more information regarding the “Who’s Your Angel” program, or giving of any kind to Blessing Health System, contact The Blessing Foundation at 217-223-8400, Ext. 4800, or go online to blessinghealth.org/angel.