So many words can describe my friend and collegue, "Izzy". FUN is one. With our responsibilities and demands growing in the medical field, Mary Mateer will not let a day go by without telling a funny story, telling a joke, singing a song or making everyone smile. She reminds us humor can sometime give everything perspective.

Mary has many professional accomplishments. She has been membership chairman the last 7 years of our Richmond based Oncolgy Nursing Society and remains active on all board and monthly meetings. She also has been designated the "virtual community mistress" of our ONS keeping the ONS website and facebook current. She is always full of information for everyone regarding updated education opportunities. She is our employee wellness "guru" updating Bremo staff on recipes, available Bon Secours programs and healthy incentives.

Mary has been and continues to be volunteer champion. Just to name a few, annually with Cancer Survivors day; an event that is treasured by staff, survivors, and family members alike. Annually works Celticfest to benefit Cullather Brain Center. Most recently she has traveled to Wise county with RAM (Remote Area Medical) for 4 days. This is a international organization that assists people in remote areas providing "Good Help to those in Need".

She is a clinical mentor and precepter. All of her collegues value her friendship, knowledge and spirit. Her patients adore her, just ask them. All of them know her, request her and ask "where is Izzy today". One patient just today was telling me "what a big heart" she has. One collegue calls her "the champion of the underdog" which just is another way of indicating she provided "good help to those in need".

Well rounded. yes. An Izzy fan. yes. Caring, competent and compassionate with her collegues and patients. yes. You can always count on Mary for her opinion, her knowledge, her support, her assistance or a laugh.