Maria Kuzyk, BSN, RN

Maria is a nurse in our inpatient mental health unit, and a Veteran patient submitted the following nomination: “This was my first time coming to a secured mental health facility, and the entire day leading up to my stay, I was scared. But Maria checked me in when I was finally taken to my room. It didn’t feel like I was being treated as crazy by her; she spoke to me like an actual human being and didn’t judge me at any point. She went and got anything I needed with almost no delay, and she even got me a hot blanket and gave me headphones to listen to music with. She made my first day very easy here, and whenever she was around, I didn’t feel anxious as I normally do. I felt normal for the first time in a long time.”