Maria shares a special bond with a patient who nominated her for a DAISY Award: the same birthday. Finding that common ground, Maria turned a bad day around for one patient. From the patient's nomination:
"I was in the hospital. My birthday is the same day as Maria's. Maria has taken such good care and was concerned about all of my care, helping me when things were good and bad. The meds I take can make me moody. She noticed that I did not have company or visitors on my birthday. We said "Happy Birthday" to each other and at dinner time she and the other nurses came in with a huge cupcake. I was so touched because of their thoughtfulness. They knew I was having a bad day and made it turn around. That made my day.
You are only as good as the people that work for and with you. Take good care of them. I love them dearly for what they did.