I have witnessed daily her skill, knowledge, professionalism and compassionate care. I admire her hard work and dedication. Maria has been a wound nurse for several years. She spends her day answering referrals from all units in our hospital, caring for pressure sores, infected wounds, doing dressings, ostomy care and mentoring nurses on wound care and how to take extra care in preventing pressure sores. She is a very active patient advocate. Maria's list of daily patients is always long and it's not uncommon for her to stay long past her shift just to care for as many patients as she can. She is so accommodating and will see other patients not on her daily list, and still pleasant even when overwhelmed. She is very thorough with her patients and takes time to answer their questions. She doesn't hesitate when asked to lecture RN's on wound and ostomy care, always willing to share her knowledge and expertise. Maria deserves recognition, she is special, hardworking and we're lucky to have her in our institution.