Although I have encountered working with nurses in the healthcare field, my story, in this case, relates to my personal experience as a patient and in the care received from an Extraordinary Nurse - Angela Figueora. Not until last year did I begin visiting various clinics - private and CHCC - for an unexpected condition. My regular visits and admission, at one point, exposed me to the different care levels of providers, including nurses. Standard care involves ensuring that the checklist is completed and within an expected timeframe to understandably meet the expectations and demands of the clinic. What makes Angela stand out among the nurses I've encountered is her genuine care for her patient as a valued person, the time and energy she takes to encourage each patient to choose positivity and make responsible choices, the accessibility to her and her consistent check-ins to address matters immediately with appropriate providers or guided care.

During procedures that are painful, she takes the time to provide a calming atmosphere to help. Ordinary care for picking up prescriptions would be to say, "You can take this slip to the pharmacy for your medication." Angela will take the extra step to hand her patient the slip and say, "This is your slip, but it won't be ready for another hour," or "There are three medications - two are available here at the CHCC pharmacy but the third one is not and is only available at ___."

Because I have regular treatment at the clinic, I like to see the comparisons with lab tests/results. A standard nurse/provider would provide me with and discuss my lab results. Angela will discuss and document results that I may have more questions or seem concerned about and will even write down previous lab results to review progress or setbacks to address. Even when I know she is having to attend to and prioritize others in need, she never rushes me in a way that makes me feel undervalued. She is always respectful. People typically do not come to the hospital or clinic because they are well. Angela approaches her patients with a spirit of positivity and readiness to provide help and healing (emotionally, mentally, and physically - as appropriate).

Beyond seemingly simple acts, Angela took the time after her shift(s) to check-in when I was admitted to the hospital and preparing to be referred off-island. Her short pop-in visits with her smiling eyes provided yet additional "extras" that make her truly extraordinary. This may seem simple, but the added actions help unburden already complicated situations and help me, as a patient, feel like this health journey is one I am not on alone. With God as my Source and my family, friends, church body, work family as tremendous support, Angela reminds me that she, and the Oncology team, are part of my team as well. "We're in this together," she so often reminds me in her words but more so in her extraordinary actions.