I have personally watched Kailey in action both within the school and with patients. Before coming to Loma Linda School of Nursing, she had not been out of the country. She signed up for a mission trip during her third quarter of nursing to Mexico and that sparked her passion for serving the vulnerable populations. She has since gone on multiple trips that she pays for with her PCA job and knows that once she graduates, it will continue. Her passion and commitment to helping others is evident in all that she does. When volunteers were needed to befriend our visiting international nursing students, she was the first to volunteer. I have heard feedback from the unit that she works on as a PCA and her charge nurse says ‘she is a “light” and her positive attitude is contagious. She has us all wanting to go on mission trips so we can come back with her attitude.”

When it comes to having compassionate care for patients, this comes as second nature for her. One such incident occurred on our Brazil mission trip as she was working with a small child, who was covered with dirt and visible lice. The child was being seen for gastrointestinal parasites. While some were hesitant to initiate interaction and start their assessment, she did not hesitate. In fact, she kneeled down with a big smile on her face and offered the child her stethoscope to use and listen to her heart. The child’s face lit up and that fear and uncertainty that that child was showing just melted. Her skills are hands down above that of a student. She demonstrates critical thinking, remains composed under pressure, and interacts with the patients and the team with ease. She will no doubt be someone who will leave a lasting impression on all of the patients that she comes in contact with.