Although my husband received excellent care from every person he encountered, we felt his daytime nurse, Rebecca, was exemplary. With a new diagnosis of severe heart disease, we were both worried, emotional, and uneducated. Rebecca immediately made us both comfortable with her calm manner and obvious competence. She described everything in layman's terms and explained why she was doing it - each medication explained, ensured we understood, and never judged our decisions. She diverted my husband's attention from painful or embarrassing tasks by talking to him about his interests which she had taken the time to learn and remember. She answered our million questions thoroughly and accurately. She spoke directly to my husband, not around him, and ensured my understanding with eye contact and additional remarks. Her positive attitude and reassurances helped my husband be positive. She showed respect to everyone in the room, was able to carry on professional conversations, and followed up to ensure he received the care he needed. As small town folks needing personal connections, Rebecca gave us enough information for us to feel comfortable. She made my husband feel like a person, not just a patient - a key to a successful recovery. We never wanted for anything - the level, amount, and quality of care were outstanding, but not at another's expense. She provided simple to understand discharge instructions and wrote down important information, and told us to call the nurses station with any questions, at any hour, after discharge. It was obvious that her knowledge and concern extended to the care the patient receives both before and after entering her unit. We are eternally grateful.