Alina serves and cares for a particularly challenging and vulnerable patient population, but I wholeheartedly believe that she consistently demonstrates the attributes of PETALS.

Passion: She is often expected to do more with little support due to the marginalized population she serves. I have personally witnessed her advocate for the needs of her patients and it has quite literally saved the lives of multiple patients. Whether it’s advocating for a patient’s medical needs to medical providers, collaborating with law enforcement for appropriate treatment of patients, or working with the nutrition department to improve and implement a rotating meal schedule for our patients with strict dietary orders, Alina uses her innate passion for helping others to go above and beyond for her patient’s.

Empathy: Behavioral health patients can present to the ED in heightened states of emotion. It is easy to get caught up in the moment or escalate the situation when someone presents as agitated or aggressive. Alina understands and demonstrates true compassion and empathy to help patients feel seen, heard, and understood. People often confuse sympathy with empathy. She is able to effectively communicate and connect with patients that are scared or distraught. She is able to help her patients feel safe in an environment or situation in which a patient may feel they have little said or control over what happens. I have personally witnessed numerous instances in which large and intimidating individuals have been calmed and soothed by Alina’s extraordinary ability to help others feel understood and appreciated.

Trust of patients, families, and peers: Having a loved one in the hospital can be unnerving. Having a loved one in the hospital in an acute psychiatric crisis can be alarming, or flat out frightening. The ED is sometimes an individual's first encounter with the mental health system, and it can bring a lot of questions and concerns regarding the uncertainty of a patient or loved one’s future. When your whole world seems to be falling apart and you don’t know where to go or whom to turn to, it is important to find someone you can trust. Alina is that anchor. Not just to our patients, but to their families and loved ones too. Knowing that your nurse is competent and has your best interest at heart is essential.

Alina consistently works to build and establish that rapport with her patients and family members. I have witnessed her hug and console scared and confused family members that are worried about a patient that may be experiencing their first psychiatric crisis. As a mental health therapist, I am in awe of the compassion and empathy she is able to convey and the trust she is able to establish with others so effortlessly. Not only that, but as her peer, I have to constantly rely on her clinical judgment to help me determine the appropriate plan of care for the patients we share. I have never once questioned her judgment, and I know that her peers feel the same as I have often seen other nurses come to her for guidance and support numerous times.

Admirable: Behavioral health is not easy. It takes a special kind of person to demonstrate and balance compassion and firmness. The fact that Alina is able to do this work consistently with a smile on her face is inspiring. It is easy to get burned out, frustrated, or resentful, and we all have our moments. However, Alina is able to focus her energy and attention on her patient care, remain positive, and juggle various roles and tasks while working in a demanding, unpredictable environment. She also makes sure to maintain her other clinical skills to stay sharp and jump in to help outside of behavioral health when needed, whether it’s in triage, the trauma bay, or running to help with a code. She is quite honestly a role model when it comes to what any nurse should aspire to be.

Love: You can’t work in this field for 19 years and not love what you do. Some days you leave feeling defeated or even questioning yourself. But Alina comes in day after day with a positive attitude because she loves what she does, and that positivity is infectious. To endure the things she has endured over the years and to still show up ready to do it all over again, you really have to love what you do. She willingly prioritizes the well-being and happiness of her patients, patients' families and loved ones, and peers above her own. I have seen her stay well past her long 12 hours shifts to help the oncoming nurse, or to help a patient in crisis. She truly goes above and beyond because she loves what she does.

Selflessness: What is loved without selflessness? Putting the well-being and happiness of others before your own is the ultimate act of selflessness. Alina is probably the most selfless person I have ever met in my life. Behavioral health has a very large homeless population. She recognizes and understands that this population struggles to meet very basic needs, such as hygiene or clothing. Alina will gather gently used clothing (shirts, dresses, pants, jeans, skirts, shoes, etc) and make sure our patients that are safe for discharge have a clean pair of clothes to go with them. Not only that, but she has used her own money to put together small baggies full of personal hygiene products to provide to both men and women.

I could go on and on about why I believe Alina is so deserving of this award, but I hope that I have at least painted a good picture as to what an incredible nurse and amazing person she is. Orlando Health is truly blessed and privileged to have her caring for our patients to ensure the best care is provided to our community.