Gloria Jolly, BSN, RN

Gloria Jolly's nomination was created as an iteration of a poem written by a patient to thank her for her excellent nursing care:

I am honored to commend Gloria for the exceptional compassion, clinical skill, and dignity she demonstrated while caring for a post-surgical patient. During a vulnerable and painful evening after surgery, she provided not only expert clinical care, but also the reassurance and encouragement the patient needed to regain strength and independence. She anticipated needs before the patient had to ask—bringing water, medications, and comfort measures, assisting with personal care, and finding creative solutions when challenges arose. Gloria's calm presence, gentle manner, and ability to bring a little humor to difficult moments made the patient feel safe, respected, and truly cared for.

What makes Gloria exceptional is that she understood that nursing is about caring for the whole person. She paid attention to the smallest details, provided comfort throughout the night, and never made the patient feel that any need was too small or inconvenient. The patient recovered stronger each day and ultimately went home, but was left wishing she had one more opportunity to say thank you. Her message was simple and powerful: this nurse was “the very best.” That is the impact of compassionate nursing—care that patients remember long after they leave our hospital.