I endured a very painful heart attack, and I thought, “Oh great, another week-long hospital stay with a whim of nurses coming and going,” and I came across her when I was transferred to her ward. She was assigned to me for the afternoon until the next morning. I can tell you that I have gone through several nurses over seven years’ time, but met none such as caring as Charlene. She constantly checked in on me every hour on the hour and not only gave care and comfort but also motivational words of encouragement. This is the stuff made of dreams. She actually made me want to get better. As it was once stated, the body can heal itself but it will heal faster if the mind is made up to heal the body. Nurse Charlene understands this statement well and aims to practice this method. Even at every step I had issues/concerns but she addressed and obliterated each point I raised. It’s not really a nurse’s job to play 21 questions over an illness but from what labs were ordered to what medications & meal I was to have (I am a Muslim so food, and a specific heparin made from pork, at last minute would be an issue), she was on top of it. I needn’t ask her twice, thrice, for the same thing. It was addressed, and it was done. It is Charlene that is the epitome of what a nurse embodies. It has truly been a blessing to cross paths with her. She has her heart and soul in the right place. If anything, I would say she outshines as the modern-day Florence Nightingale, ready to take action yet gentle enough to meet her patient(s) needs. Give her recognition, an award, or whatever you have, but do not lose this hidden gem. You won’t know what you have until it’s gone. She’s perfect.