Angelica Jurado, RN

I was admitted to Methodist Children's Hospital after having my entire right lung removed and my admission was relentlessly difficult. This was not my first surgery and I know what I was going to endure would be challenging, to say the least. I had a few days during my admission where my status was declining and I could hardly stay awake, let alone get out of bed or go for a walk. It was during one of these days that I met Angelica, one of my nurses on the pediatric post-surgical unit. Angelica embodies a compassionate and strong-willed nurse with an authentic passion for her patients and career. It was when I felt most terrified and weak that I found her at my bedside helping in any way that she could, educating me, and giving my parents the support that they needed at such a vulnerable time for all of us. She did this all in a way that made me feel dignified and like a real person who was simply struggling, and I cannot thank her enough for her genuine care. It is within the next few years that I, myself, will be stepping into a career in healthcare. Angelica not only motivated me to keep fighting the good fight, but she inspired me in my own pursuit of a future career serving humanity. I will undoubtedly take the lessons that I learn as a patient with me along the way. Methodist Children's Hospital should be proud to have her as an extraordinary asset to their team.