My husband was hospitalized after an emergency appendectomy and GI surgery. We were ultimately in the hospital for 8 grueling and miserable days. Oxana Zagrebina was one of our first nurses after we were admitted, and she was phenomenal. First, as a nurse she was knowledgeable and skilled, answering our questions and providing insights into my husband’s care that helped us formulate a plan for management of his pain and discomfort. But what really stood out about Oxana was her positivity and nurturing approach to delivering care. Those were dark moments for my husband and I, and Oxana was like a little bit of sunshine that helped brighten our spirits and reassure us that it was all going to be ok. She seemed to intuitively know when we needed to talk, sharing stories, and asking questions about us and our family that made us feel as though she cared about us as people, not just patients. Unfortunately, we were transferred from Oxana’s unit for the remainder of our stay, but she still checked in on us to ensure we were comfortable and being taken care of. It meant a lot to us and brought us comfort in what was otherwise a very difficult time. Oxana is very deserving of celebrating, and I hope she is recognized for how exceptional she is.