July 2026 Honoree
Alison Skubik, BSN, RN
I am a 40 -year-old disabled veteran. I spent two years pushing to finish my NYU undergraduate degree on an accelerated timeline so I could finally have this hip surgery that would leave me unable to walk for about eight weeks.
When I woke up in recovery, I found out that my hip socket was too damaged for the planned PAO procedure. I needed a total hip replacement instead, and I was going home that same day, not spending two weeks in the hospital as expected. That's a lot to absorb coming out of anesthesia.
Alison handled it with real steadiness. She was calm and patient without being clinical, and she treated me like a person going through something difficult, not just a body in a bed.
When I mentioned I have trouble swallowing large pills, she crushed them into pudding before I even had to ask. When the transport nurse was tied up with other patients, delaying my discharge, she took me out to the Uber herself.
At one point, the man recovering in the next bay, an older guy who said he had more orthopedic surgeries than he could count, volunteered, unprompted, that Alison was excellent. It matched exactly what I was already thinking.
Two days later, Alison called to check in on me. She didn't have to do that. I also learned she'll be working the day I come back next month for the hip replacement, and honestly, knowing she will be there gives me real comfort.
Alison deserves recognition for the care she consistently brings to this work. Clearly, it is the same for every patient she sees.
When I woke up in recovery, I found out that my hip socket was too damaged for the planned PAO procedure. I needed a total hip replacement instead, and I was going home that same day, not spending two weeks in the hospital as expected. That's a lot to absorb coming out of anesthesia.
Alison handled it with real steadiness. She was calm and patient without being clinical, and she treated me like a person going through something difficult, not just a body in a bed.
When I mentioned I have trouble swallowing large pills, she crushed them into pudding before I even had to ask. When the transport nurse was tied up with other patients, delaying my discharge, she took me out to the Uber herself.
At one point, the man recovering in the next bay, an older guy who said he had more orthopedic surgeries than he could count, volunteered, unprompted, that Alison was excellent. It matched exactly what I was already thinking.
Two days later, Alison called to check in on me. She didn't have to do that. I also learned she'll be working the day I come back next month for the hip replacement, and honestly, knowing she will be there gives me real comfort.
Alison deserves recognition for the care she consistently brings to this work. Clearly, it is the same for every patient she sees.
Thank you, Alison, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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