April 2026 Honoree
Laura Derrera, RN
I was recently discharged after spending several days at Foothills Hospital. For all but one day, I was on 3 North. Laura was my nurse for most of that time, and we quickly formed a friendly bond.
From the moment we met, it was clear that Laura was highly experienced, knowledgeable, and confident in her role. Because she has worked at BCH for many years, she was able to help me understand what to expect throughout my hospitalization, including realistic wait times for diagnostic tests and scans. That knowledge helped reduce my anxiety and made an uncertain situation feel much more manageable.
One challenge during my stay was that I was frequently NPO while waiting for CT scans, MRIs, and other tests. Like many patients in that situation, I was hungry, frustrated, and more than a little "hangry." I repeatedly asked whether my diet had been changed or whether I had finally been approved for clear liquids. Laura never seemed annoyed or impatient. Instead, she answered my questions with kindness, checked for updates, and treated my concerns as important, even when I knew I was asking the same question over and over.
What made Laura truly special, however, was the way she connected with me as a person. I was fortunate to be fairly independent during my stay—I was able to walk the halls, manage many small tasks on my own, and stay engaged in my care. Laura recognized that and met me where I was. We shared a similar sense of humor, and she always seemed to know when a laugh was exactly what I needed.
On my first day, a friend brought me a pineapple-shaped water bottle that quickly became famous among the staff. It sparked an ongoing joke about refilling my "pineapple" with margaritas instead of water. The water and ice dispenser became the frozen margarita dispenser. Those lighthearted moments may seem small, but they made a real difference during a stressful and uncertain week.
Laura's willingness to laugh with me while still providing excellent care helped turn a difficult hospital stay into a much more positive experience. By the time I was discharged, I felt as though I had made a new friend—someone who genuinely cared about my well-being and took pride in helping others.
Laura made a lasting impression on me and exemplifies the kind of nurse every patient hopes to have.
Thank you, Laura. You truly make a difference
From the moment we met, it was clear that Laura was highly experienced, knowledgeable, and confident in her role. Because she has worked at BCH for many years, she was able to help me understand what to expect throughout my hospitalization, including realistic wait times for diagnostic tests and scans. That knowledge helped reduce my anxiety and made an uncertain situation feel much more manageable.
One challenge during my stay was that I was frequently NPO while waiting for CT scans, MRIs, and other tests. Like many patients in that situation, I was hungry, frustrated, and more than a little "hangry." I repeatedly asked whether my diet had been changed or whether I had finally been approved for clear liquids. Laura never seemed annoyed or impatient. Instead, she answered my questions with kindness, checked for updates, and treated my concerns as important, even when I knew I was asking the same question over and over.
What made Laura truly special, however, was the way she connected with me as a person. I was fortunate to be fairly independent during my stay—I was able to walk the halls, manage many small tasks on my own, and stay engaged in my care. Laura recognized that and met me where I was. We shared a similar sense of humor, and she always seemed to know when a laugh was exactly what I needed.
On my first day, a friend brought me a pineapple-shaped water bottle that quickly became famous among the staff. It sparked an ongoing joke about refilling my "pineapple" with margaritas instead of water. The water and ice dispenser became the frozen margarita dispenser. Those lighthearted moments may seem small, but they made a real difference during a stressful and uncertain week.
Laura's willingness to laugh with me while still providing excellent care helped turn a difficult hospital stay into a much more positive experience. By the time I was discharged, I felt as though I had made a new friend—someone who genuinely cared about my well-being and took pride in helping others.
Laura made a lasting impression on me and exemplifies the kind of nurse every patient hopes to have.
Thank you, Laura. You truly make a difference
Thank you, Laura, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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