Faced with severe abdominal pain, one local resident headed to the Saint Agnes Emergency Department. During his two-day stay in the hospital, one particular nurse - Valerie Clark - stood out. It was in the smallest of details - taking time to thoroughly talk with her patient and explaining what was going on to calm his fears - that made the difference. "Valerie treated me like a person instead of just as a patient," her nominator said. "There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of her, and I'm grateful for what she did for me."

Wanting to thank Valerie in person, the patient visited the ED a few weeks later. Despite a full patient load, Valerie took time to see him, and remembered the gentleman and his situation. "She is an incredible example of the bedside manner that doctors and nurses should always have," her nominator said.