Michele has been a VNA of Englewood Nurse since 2014. In that time, she has consistently managed a very high census of patients in perhaps the busiest, most populous portion of the county that the VNA of Englewood covers. A self-professed “softie” with her patients, as a manager I see the concern and firmness also exhibited to her patients. These characteristics displayed to her patients convey experience, skill, confidence and her desire for her patients to want better for themselves and their health. She is a tremendous educator, with patients frequently asking her “Are you sure you’re not a doctor”? Her breadth of knowledge and desire to provide for positive patient outcomes make her a favorite amongst our patients. Past patients will frequently request for her to be their nurse again, because they know in advance the exceptional care that they will receive. In this past year, i have witnessed her manage multiple complicated cases involving ostomies. She was assigned to case manage several patients with very irregular stomas that would prove difficult in the beginning to determine which appliances/techniques would work best for each patient. A born problem solver, Michele rose to the challenge and was able to successfully assist her patients with product and technique that in turn made them more confident with their long term medical conditions. Her active listening to her patient’s concerns and allowing them to voice their fears assisted the patients with becoming more at peace with their now lifelong medical conditions. Throughout these processes, her patients’ modesty was protected, allowing them to better adapt to how their bodies had changed. Through her education, tenaciousness, active listening and tireless dedication to her patients, she truly improved the quality of their lives. It is for these reasons, but still so many, many more that i proudly nominate Michele Falzarano for The DAISY Award for exceptional nurses. She truly improved the quality of their lives. One of her patients and her family could not praise Michele enough for all that she had done for them. They reported to this manager that she was very compassionate and attentive to their needs. Per the patient’s daughter, the patient “went from being afraid to look at or touch the stoma to being able to independently manage it. Thank you to Michele for her patience.”