Excellence in action that's what we as caregivers strive for in our daily interaction with patients, families, even our own staff. For this nominator, Mary Vander Beek excelled in every way one night during a two-hour code blue. As House Supervisor responding to the code, "Mary immediately took charge of the other needs, while most of the unit staff was involved in code support. For the family, she calmed and comforted hysterical members, offered water and tissues. For the code team, she took notes, brought supplies, monitored labs and reports, tended their needs, offering juice and encouragement. For the unit, she answered phones, watched over the other patients, and kept things under control. Mary's main focus was the code crisis situation, and she did not waver in providing excellent skill, support and service. Secondary were the needs of the entire unit that she did not let go unanswered.

Her nominator said, "The skill, care, compassion and serving attitude that Mary displayed are a part of who she is - a valuable asset and an amazing person. We expect excellence, and often take it for granted. In this situation, I observed excellence in action and believe it should be recognized."