Rachel Hawkins, an ultrasound clinical specialist in the radiology department at Taylorville Memorial Hospital, is the nonprofit hospital’s Colleague of the Month for May.

Hawkins recently ensured the comfort and safety of a patient who was waiting for an MRI and was experiencing pain that only eased if he could be lying down, the patient’s wife said. Hawkins brought a stretcher and a warm blanket to comfort the patient.

“Rachel was amazing, and I have no doubt she treats each patient as if they’re her own family,” said the patient’s wife, who nominated Hawkins for recognition.

Hawkins, of Taylorville, has worked at Taylorville Memorial Hospital since 2015.