Pat Trader is an outstanding nurse, and the very heart of Lutheran's Palliative Care Team. Over the years, I have shared numerous patients with Pat, and have always been impressed by her commitment to confidentiality, the thoroughness of her work, her attention to cultural diversity and her unwavering empathy and respect for her patients. Consistent with the nature of their work, Pat and her team are always called in to conduct unpleasant conversations and help patients and families make heartbreaking decisions. Every single time I have been with Pat in those moments, I am reminded that kindness, not ego, is at the root of our work and we all look to each other to keep the bar high. She is respected by all who work with her and surely every patient she has touched.