The first thing that comes to mind when working with Vanessa is that if there is something that needs to get done, Vanessa will always get it done. When Vanessa is in charge, we know the PICU will run like a tight ship that day. A few months ago, we had a patient that came in for a major surgery who then returned to PICU to recover and be monitored until a follow-up procedure the following day. The patient was unable to eat or drink for this procedure (NPO) so that they could be sedated. Vanessa was the nurse taking care of this patient and called first thing in the morning to see what time the patient's procedure was scheduled. Vanessa did not receive a clear answer. After having a separate major surgery the previous day, her patient was extremely anxious and nervous about this second procedure. In addition, the patient and their family were Spanish speaking only. Although the Martie® was used to communicate with the patient and their family, Vanessa also was able to speak with them in Spanish. Vanessa continuously reassured the patient and told them she would keep them updated. Vanessa learned that the procedure was being moved to the next day. By this time, half of the shift had passed; the patient had been NPO since waking up, was very hungry, and still extremely anxious. Vanessa advocated for her patient, explaining that every effort should be made to schedule the procedure that day. Vanessa's compassion, patient advocacy, and collaboration with the rest of the healthcare team ultimately led to the procedure being scheduled as an "add-on" and occurred prior to Vanessa leaving for the day. Upon the patient's return, Vanessa had a tray of hot food waiting. As a result, this patient was monitored overnight, recovered well, and was ready for discharge the following day. The patient and their family could not stop thanking Vanessa for everything that she did. Most recently, while caring for a PICU patient, Vanessa identified worsening symptoms, including bradycardic, nauseous, and retching. Vanessa communicated this to the residents and escalated her concern to the surgical attending, who immediately came to the bedside to assess the patient. Vanessa's experience with this clinical case, along with her intuition, led to the patient being sent for surgery. The family and patient expressed how grateful they were to her that she voiced her concerns. The attending also commended Vanessa for her great efforts in facilitating efficient and high-quality care resulting in a positive outcome for the patient and their family. Vanessa is the nurse that we would want taking care of our family or us if admitted to the hospital. There is no doubt in our minds that Vanessa would advocate for us and do whatever is necessary to ensure that we were provided with high-quality care. There is no question that Vanessa exemplifies what it means to be an exceptional patient advocate.