This award takes a compassionate, knowledgeable, gracious nurse who is dedicated to meticulous patient care. One nurse who encompasses these attributes is Ruth Zabielski.

Our unit is an incredibly difficult area to work. However, she instills a sense of calm into any emotionally charged situation which arises. She is not only supportive, but is able to use her gentle touch to help any patient through a difficult time.

Earlier this year, the unit had an incredibly difficult family situation. Ruth helped to provide exceptional emotional support to the family throughout this emotional journey. She was an invaluable resource for younger staff members.

Ruth is always willing to stop and take the time to provide a shoulder on which to lean. She is genuinely interested in the lives of her patients and coworkers, and exudes leadership abilities that young nurses should strive to emulate.

She provides meticulous patient care and uses her broad knowledge base to teach others. Her excellent communication skills allow her to perform as a superior patient advocate and establish an exceptional rapport with the interdisciplinary team.

Ruth displays a warm, compassionate bedside manner with each and every patient she cares for. Her empathetic and gracious disposition earns her a special place in the hearts of everyone in which she comes in contact.