Lara Riggs embodies outstanding patient care and advocacy. Last month, Lara called me to help with an IV for one of her patients. After spending some time with the patient and talking with Lara about his situation, I learned that he had been brought in by co-workers for stroke-like symptoms. During my interaction with him, he seemed to have periods of confusion, but able to hold a conversation. It was evident that something was "off". This patient had been here for a couple of days, and his team was planning on discharging him. Lara was very concerned with this decision, as she felt the patient not only had a declining mental status, but also did not have a stable home address and had been staying with friends or co-workers. She contacted the patient's team to express her concerns, and asked that they come and re-evaluate this patient, hoping they would get a clearer picture of his declining mental status. Thankfully, this patient was not discharged and was found to have a progressive neurological condition. This patient has now been with us for 40+ days and continues to decline. Social work has tried to work with the family in getting the necessary documents for insurance and guardianship which they have been unable to obtain so they have requested a state-appointed guardian in this case. Each of us chose a career in which we serve others, but we have also chosen to work at Eskenazi Health with a particularly unique and vulnerable population. This can be difficult and exhausting some days. I strongly believe that Lara's actions reflect a level of compassion and selflessness that cannot be taught. The difference between sympathy and compassion is action. Many of us interact with our patient population each day and feel sympathy or pity, but how many of us actually take the initiative to act? Lara genuinely cares for others, and this patient was fortunate to have her caring for him at just the right time.