I am 77 years old. I had just had an ablation and I was brought to my room complaining of a stinging at the site where one of the wires had been inserted. My nurse, Mariya Akopov, literally jumped into action! I was bleeding under the skin. A blood clot could occur. She applied pressure on the site for 15 minutes at a time, using all of her strength for at least 2 hours without stopping. Determined to prevent a clot, she worked 2 hours past the end of her shift. Not a tall woman, she figured out the best way to apply the pressure was by lowering the bed so that she could work more easily, finding the right position to sustain the strenuous pressure she kept on the site. Mariya also used a sandbag to apply pressure and she taught me how to make sure that it was in exactly the right place. She told me not to cough or laugh and said she would stick with me until the problem was solved. She kept my cardiologist informed via text and she kept me calm. At last, Mariya examined the site and felt that I was no longer in danger! I felt such relief and gratitude! I have never met a nurse more dedicated and caring than Mariya Akopov. I had complete confidence in her. She was kind, professional, and determined without any thought about when she would be able to go home. Her total focus was on me and I will never forget her care-the perfect combination of professional expertise and compassion. What a role model for all nurses! When Mariya was leaving, she mentioned that she was off the next day and was looking forward to spending time with her little grandson. What a lucky boy to have this terrific woman in his life! Not only does she exceed all the criteria for The DAISY Award, but she also demonstrates extraordinary humanity.