Gretchen Canfield, RN, was named the September Associate of the Month at Carroll Hospital Center in Westminster, Md. A member of the staff for four years, Canfield was nominated for her compassion and care of a patient who was admitted to the hospital on the patient’s birthday, according to a news release.

With the patient’s family members focused on her hospital stay, they were unable to find ways to celebrate the patient’s birthday. After her shift, Canfield went to the store and returned to the patient’s room with a small birthday cake, a floral arrangement and a birthday card to brighten the patient’s day.

“Gretchen is an outstanding nurse who is loved by all her patients,” Stephanie Reid, RN, BSN, MBA, Carroll Hospital Center’s vice president of quality and CNO, said in the release. “Her compassion and kindness always have a huge impact.”

Each month, Carroll Hospital Center recognizes the achievements of its staff. From those who are nominated to receive the awards each month, one Associate of the Month is chosen. One Associate of the Year then is selected from all of the Associate of the Month winners.