Nurses perform exemplary care every day, but the way Angelina provides care is beyond exemplary. I was moved this morning to nominate her for this prestigious award. Neuro received a 39-year-old patient who suffered a debilitating stroke. Prior to this, the patient had no significant medical history or disability. After the stroke, this patient had a significant disability which affected her speech, mobility, and ability to eat and drink. The entire Neuro team worked together alongside PT/OT/Speech to ensure this patient was given a meaningful chance of recovery.

During the long hospital stay, all of the Neuro Care team banded together like they always do to give the highest level of compassionate and quality care for this patient. During her stay, Angelina really stood out as she formed a very special bond with this young patient. Angelina would bring her in food, give her a manicure, and bring her out to the nurses' station to keep her company when she was functioning as the charge nurse. She helped to do her hair, get her clothes, and really stepped up to ensure this patient was treated as a person and not just as a room number. Sometimes we lose sight of this in healthcare as we are met with so many challenges and deadlines. Angelina never lost sight of her calling as a nurse; after all, she comes from a line of exceptional nurses. Her mother was a long-time nurse here at AAMC in the Clatanoff pavilion.

Throughout the patient's stay, we had a very challenging time finding a facility to be able to care for her. Her family was unable to provide around-the-clock care, and facilities would not take her for a multitude of reasons. Finally, we arranged for this patient to be discharged to a facility in Silver Spring. Upon arriving at the facility, the patient became upset and refused to stay. She was scared of change and scared to be around people she did not know. It must be so hard to be 39 years old and require placement in a nursing home. The facility was trying its best to make the patient feel safe and welcome, but the patient was adamant that she wanted to return to AAMC, where her nursing and tech friends were, and she felt safe there. This is a testament to the exceptional care that we give on the Neuro Care Unit.

The next day, Angelina was the charge nurse again. She volunteered to come in the next day on her day off and drive with the AAA crew to ensure the patient had a smoother transition to the facility. Angelina and I spoke with this patient to make her feel calmer about this new plan. Angelina would stay with the patient for the day, help her unpack, help her get acclimated to the new facility, and make sure that she felt better about this new environment.

It was the day of discharge, and Angelina was already here waiting for AAA to arrive. She had the patient changed, had her hair done, had already done the patient's nails prior, and ensured she was comfortable with the plan. When the transport crew arrived, we all shed tears but assured the patient we would continue to visit and keep in contact. It was heart-warming to see how much of an impact you make on someone. We are not just healthcare workers, but we are friends, advocates, family, someone a patient can rely on when they don't have anything or anyone else to lean on. This was a special moment, and Angelina did more than she ever had to for this patient. She embodies the spirit of a nurse and the spirit of DAISY.