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LEWISBURG -- When Andrea Johnston, of Millmont, was facing emergency surgery after giving birth to her fourth child at The Family Place of Evangelical, Michelle Klingman, RN, took it upon herself to stay by Johnston's side.
"My husband at this point had returned home to be with our 3-year-old and I was so scared and trying to comprehend everything," Johnston said in nominating Klingman, according to a recent press release from Evangelical announcing the award. "From the first minute, Michelle was by my side and made sure I understood everything that was happening. She held my hand as I cried and tried to wrap my head around the situation.
"Michelle took my husband's number and called him throughout my surgery to give him updates. She even called him after the doctor had called him to make sure he understood what was going on," Johnston said.
"She waited until I was out of surgery, even though her shift had ended, to make sure I was OK. She called in on her day off to check on me, and even though I was not her patient, the next day she was in, she stopped by my room to see how I was. She went above and beyond for me," Johnston said of Klingman. "I am a 34-year-old mom of four who was simply terrified and alone and she made sure I had some sort of comfort and support."
Klingman was presented the award surrounded by her fellow coworkers, Hospital and Nursing leadership, and her husband. Johnston was present to read the nomination in person.
Klingman has been an Evangelical employee since 2012, the release said. She began as a radiologic technologist in imaging services and received her nursing license in June 2019. She then made the shift to working in The Family Place, where she continues to work as an RN for moms and their new babies.