I have had the honor of teaching Mark in the skills lab and in the clinical setting. Mark has a very deep passion for nursing. His empathy for others is contagious and his willingness to help others is incomparable. His attention to patient care and focus on the needs of the patient are at the forefront of his care.

As his clinical instructor, a nurse informed me of what a patient had said about Mark. Mark had cared for the patient the week before and after he left for the day, the patient told the nurse how wonderful Mark had cared for her. She stated that he "deserved the highest award possible for being the best nursing student!" It was no surprise to me that a patient would say this about Mark. He has a gentle touch and his kindness to others encompasses everything the profession of nursing defines. There need to be more people like Mark and this world, he is going to make a huge impact on many patients' lives.