I've worked in healthcare for nine years and have never seen the level of devotion or compassion for patients that Heather Maccarelli has shown. Heather and I picked up an extra shift in the Medical Surgical Unit because they were short-staffed (we work together in the ICU). There was a patient on the unit who had severe dementia and didn't have family in town who were able to visit. There were no visitors for a number of weeks, and the patient had a history of being combative and violent, so we got the impression that he was alone most of the time. It was incredibly difficult for the nursing staff there to redirect this patient, especially when it came to bed baths. Heather was able to miraculously encourage and help this patient to change his clothes (which were saturated in urine and stool) and give him a bed bath--something the staff on the floor were unable to do for many days due to violent outbursts and refusal. Beyond this, she took his clothes home, personally washed them, and returned them the next day so he could have his favorite pair of pants and collared shirt while also purchasing additional clothing for him to wear. Heather goes above and beyond the call of duty, and she is the type of person who would give anything to anyone in need. There are numerous stories just like this one I could share about Heather, as this is just one example of many. It is such a deep honor to work with and learn from her, and I know the lives of many that are greatly improved because of the compassionate, generous, excellent care she gives.