Rebecca Caldwell, RN, was nominated by a former CVA (stroke) patient. The patient stated, “I’m not much into putting my thoughts into words. I’ll try for Rebecca. I know I can be a difficult person, but Rebecca knew exactly how to handle me, which was stern and honest. She checked on me before, during, and after the shift. I feel terrible that I can’t put my thoughts into words, but I felt obligated to try. Rebecca was so much more than a nurse during the 4 to 5 weeks at the University of Maryland Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Institute on the Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) Unit. She was the perfect combination of stern, positive, friendly, and helpful. That’s what all nurses should aspire to be like.” 

During the phone interview, the patient stated, “Rebecca wouldn’t take my crap; she was a tough cookie. She expected me to do certain things because she knew I could, and she knew it would help me in the long run.  She was great; I loved it when it was her shift, and she was my nurse.  She was so easy to talk to and very relatable. Rebecca (and my Patient Care Technician) made me laugh during one of the most difficult times of my life. Thank you so much for everything.”