When I think of the true meaning of a nurse, I think of someone who is compassionate, genuine, kind at their core. Someone who inspires, leads, educates, and loves with everything they have. All these attributes I see in Rosemary Maingi and yet there is so much more to her and what she gives. Rosemary has been a part of our Loma Linda team for over four years now. I have seen her in both day and night shift settings and the relationships that she has built with her coworkers, physicians, leaders, and most importantly with her patients. I have witnessed firsthand the effort, time, support, intention, and care that she has given to her patients in their time of need, confusion and unknown. I have seen her resilience in times of struggle, her strength in times of weakness, and her bravery to overcome situations and environments that anyone could ever imagine. Her patients share their private struggles with her, and she takes on their concerns and becomes their advocate and ally.

I remember her taking care of a middle-aged male with a small child recently receiving news that he had been diagnosed with cancer. This patient resembles at the time what may have seemed like the epitome of strength and health who is emotionally and internally going through so much more. Rosemary spent an endless amount of time with him, sharing her faith and providing a sense of support that he didn't realize was something that he could receive from his nurse. I watched as she walked with him on each of her shifts around the unit over and over again sharing conversation and providing a sense of peace.

You can teach skills and teach someone how to chart but Rosemary possesses the desire, the heart to relate, and the ability to love, to give, and to empathize. She does not discriminate, all of God's children are her priority and all those she encounters receive a part of her beautiful gifts with no strings attached. We are blessed, her patients are blessed, and we are thankful and so grateful that she is here and present; mind, body, and soul. Let's celebrate her!