Anniversary to remember: HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital nurses surprise one of their own

It was Angela and Christopher’s wedding anniversary, but it looked like they wouldn’t be able to celebrate it. Angela, a nurse at HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital, wasn’t working — instead, she was a patient recovering from surgery to address severe abdominal pain. But her co-workers and friends weren’t going to let the day pass by.

As a surprise, the nurses set up a small table by Angela’s bed, complete with candles and a vase of flowers. There were no plastic hospital trays or cups, either; instead, the table was set with china and glassware. The menu? Steak and shrimp.

After the meal, Christopher said it was the first time he’d seen his wife smile all week. Angela says that she didn’t get this special treatment just because she’s a nurse. “They’d do this for any of our patients,” she said. “It’s really at the heart of our mission: Making everyone feel valued and cared for.”

Angela recovered at home and is now “feeling great.”