During the first week of April, I was in the hospital for one week with severe acute pancreatitis and had my gallbladder removed during my stay. This is <1 week after having a hysterectomy — needless to say, I was in excruciating pain. Maria went above and beyond to ensure I was comfortable, quickly addressing all of my questions and concerns. Although the nurses are working at such a fast pace in this department to attend to the high volume of patients, she made me feel heard and respected, and we shared a few laughs. I met numerous nurses/employees during my week-long stay. She really stood out amongst the rest — always remaining cheerful, remembering to give my medications on schedule (which I found to be a rarity during my stay). She had the friendly, outgoing touch that I didn’t find in most of the other staff. It’s clear that she takes pride in her work, has a passion for nursing, and genuinely cares about her patients. Thank you again, Maria, for being an all-star nurse and making my difficult stay enjoyable. Cheers to you!