I have worked with Maria for the past 5 plus years and have witnessed her compassionate connection with patients and their families. Maria was contacted by a friend who informed her that a patient was admitted to this facility who was from her neighboring town in India. The patient was an employee of a cruise ship, took ill on the ship and had to be admitted for treatment to BHMC. Maria visited the patient on another unit on her days off and formed a relationship with him. With the patient's permission, Maria was able to contact the patient's wife in India and gave her daily updates. The patient's treatment was going to be for an extended length of time. The cruise ship arranged for the patient's wife to come to the USA from India to be with the patient. Once the patient's wife got here Maria also extended her compassion to the wife. Maria went over and beyond the call of duty by taking the wife's dirty laundry to her home, washed and ironed and brought them back so the wife could have clean clothing. The wife spent numerous days and nights at her husband's bedside. Maria also cooked and brought meals for the patient's wife in an effort to make her feel comfortable. Over several weeks, the patient's health improved, and discharge plans were being made. Maria again went out of herway, she assisted the wife with errands like banking and shopping in preparation for their return to India. Maria went above and beyond to make the patient and his wife feel comfortable during their say at BHMC.