Natalio was nominated by a Co-worker who wrote the following:

There are moments in life when words feel completely inadequate, but I still want to try—because what you did deserves to be recognized, honored, and deeply appreciated.

Back in 2023, my grandfather was admitted to the floor I work on—a man who, to put it lightly, never hid how much he disliked hospitals. He could be tough to please even on the best days, and being sick only magnified that. But there was one thing about that hospital stay he genuinely appreciated: being on my floor, cared for by my coworkers. And one nurse stood out to him above all the rest—you.

He would tell me over and over again how hard you worked, but more than that, how clearly you cared. That meant everything to him. It meant everything to us. My grandparents never forgot you. And neither will I.

From the moment you started your journey into nursing, I had the privilege of watching you grow into the compassionate, skilled, and deeply human caregiver you are today. But nothing could have prepared me for the depth of kindness and grace you showed when my family needed it most.

You cared for my grandfather with a gentleness and presence he never forgot—and neither did I. And then, when his final moments came, you weren’t even assigned to him, but you ran—you ran—from your floor just to make sure my grandmother didn’t have to be alone as he slipped away.

You were there for her, holding her, grounding her, giving her strength at a time when I couldn’t yet be there myself. That act—purely out of love, compassion, and humanity—is something I will never forget.

So, thank you, Natalio. Your heart showed up when ours were breaking. You gave us more than care—you gave us compassion, support, and love in the darkest of moments.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you. With endless gratitude.