Throughout my nearly two years of working alongside Crissy, I have been consistently impressed by her absolute dedication to patient care - above and beyond standard nursing expectations. On several occasions, she has been able to coach frightened patients through procedures and new diagnoses such that they are able to proceed with emergency department care and treatment. One particular instance comes to mind in which a patient had to undergo several uncomfortable bedside procedures in the emergency department. The patient said that he couldn't go through with it because he was scared, but the procedure was the only way to help him feel better. Crissy personally held his hand and coached him with encouraging words and support throughout the entire procedure, such that the patient was able to be fully treated for his diagnosis. This is only one example of many of Crissy's "pep talks" that patients seem to respond so well to. I've also witnessed her being an excellent mentor to some of the newer emergency medicine nurses. She perfects the balance of guiding newer nurses while safely pushing them in their independence such that the nurses she mentors are some of our best nurses in the emergency department. It is so easy to get "burned out" in emergency department nursing. Despite difficult days and patients, Christina Towns consistently demonstrates an absolute dedication to patient care and safety, despite all of the challenges of her profession. She well deserves recognition for her excellence.