Kayla Vallante, BSN, RN

Kayla has demonstrated remarkable growth over the past year and a half, consistently developing into a trusted, compassionate, and highly skilled nurse. Most recently, a patient called the unit at shift change specifically to speak with Kayla and personally thank her for the difference she made in her hospital experience. The patient had asked Kayla days earlier when she would be back on shift, and she made a point to call at 7 pm so they could reach her. Kayla was genuinely surprised and deeply appreciative of the call, reflecting her humility and dedication to her patients. This meaningful interaction exemplifies our core values. Kayla's unwavering patient focus and compassion create lasting impacts beyond the patient's hospital stay. She treats every individual with respect and dignity, holds herself accountable for providing exceptional care, and demonstrates an ongoing commitment to both her patients and her team. Kayla may not fully realize how far she has come and how essential she is to our unit, but her patients and team certainly do. From the girl who second-guessed her abilities to one of the most thorough nurses I know, this small example shows what it means to be a true patient advocate.