A 75-year-old Veteran was scheduled to have vascular surgery. He has chronic pain and peripheral vascular disease. Kelly volunteered to do the preoperative assessment while I set up the operating suite, as I was unfamiliar with the vascular surgery we were performing. I joined the preoperative staff after the OR suite was ready. Kelly assisted the preoperative staff in attempting to place IV access after multiple staff members were unable to do so. She was kind and comforted the Veteran the entire time. The preoperative area can be anxiety-inducing for the Veterans as many people are speaking to them, often at the same time, and it is a busy place first thing in the morning. Kelly's gentleness and ability to explain each step to the Veteran prior to moving forward put him at ease, reducing his pain and anxiety. She stayed with the patient upon entering the OR suite, engaging in conversation and listening to the Veteran even though she was not part of the surgical team. She likened the commotion of the OR to a hockey game, which she and the Veteran played as children, stating he was the goalie, and the staff were the opposing team coming at him from all angles. His body language and demeanor changed as his understanding of what was happening became clear to him with the analogy. Kelly displays the I CARE Core Values by placing the Veteran first, assisting the preoperative and operative staff, choosing to stay with the Veteran whom she made a connection with to reduce his anxiety and pain, and making time to do these things when she was not assigned to the operative suite. Kelly's dedication to professionalism and nursing values makes her a true asset to our team.