Mary has mentored and precepted more than 50 NP students. She is unfailingly cheerful, energetic, creative, and encouraging for students as they learn the complexities of the advanced practice role. Mary takes on novice students as well as those nearing graduation, and all benefit from her wisdom and her unflappable sense of humor. Students respect her, admire her, and genuine LIKE her. She is the nurse practitioner they all aspire to be. For her patients, she acts as an educator, a counselor and a cheerleader; literally, she has a pair of pom-poms in her office that she breaks out when a patient has one something great to better themselves. Mary treats me with respect and encourages me in each encounter. I consider myself very lucky to have had this experience and am unable to quantify all I have learned from her. Mary sees student?s strengths and helps them move forward in their nursing careers. She is their coach, role model, advisor, friend, and confidante ? always more than just their teacher and always, first and last, a great educator of future nurse practitioners.