To my shock, I was advised by my doctor that my sore throat needed an ambulance ride immediately to St Joseph. My sore throat was a bad case of Peritonsillar abscess.  
All the ER staff were fantastic, exceeding my wildest expectations.  

Within 30mins the procedure was over and shortly thereafter moved to an observation room for 12h that turned into 24h. 

What sets Nurse Monique apart from an already exceptional crew, was her ability to create an environment where I felt open to ask stupid questions. 

I am a professional in a different career, but being in that hospital, I might as well have been in a different universe. I was without my family (wife and two daughters most of the morning) and probably didn't want to display or acknowledge to myself everything I was feeling that morning, given how fast my sore throat turned into a life-threatening situation.  Whether it was managing my pain, addressing my concerns, or coordinating with the medical team, Monique demonstrated an exceptional level of professionalism and commitment that eased my suffering and anxiety during a very distressing time.  

It is not so much an extraordinary event that I can pinpoint that highlights her exceptional contributions as a healthcare professional, but how exceptionally she handled the ordinary (at least in the nursing profession). We had no long conversations or exchanges, but it is a fact that I felt physiologically and mentally better after Monique had checked in on my room.  

I have been an airline Captain for 30 years and Monique demonstrates all the skills of a professional in a safety critical role. I wholeheartedly recommend Monique Sanchez for this award, as her contributions to the Emergency Room at  St Joseph's have undoubtedly made a significant impact on the lives of patients like myself. This award would be a fitting tribute to her dedication to making the ordinary, extraordinary every day she comes to work and probably without her even knowing.