Donna exemplifies the culture and characteristics of a great bedside nurse. She has held our unit together. She is credited with being the glue' over the last year while we went through leadership changes. She has filled the roll of coordinator, mentor, manager, mother, bedside nurse, educator, problem-solver, compromiser and role model to the rest of the staff. She has done all of this with a smile on her face and calm demeanor.

Donna never lost sight of what was important. She always did what was best for the patient and never put herself first. She came in extra, took phone calls on her day off and looked for ways to make things better. She initiated crucial conversations, held co-workers accountable and stood up for the staff and patient. Donna has always been the neutral party who looked for the best outcome.

She is able to de-escalate tense situations and redirect frustration into meaningful communication. Her care for others is so authentic and natural that it puts others at ease. People can feel that her motives are genuine. Donna takes a personal interest in each and every person she meets. She knows that everybody has a story. She has built eloquent interdisciplinary relationships with all those with whom she interacts and values that we all work together to create the best outcome for our patients. Donna has taught us to be thankful for each other. Thankful for our unit. Thankful for our organization and thankful for the unique opportunity to make a difference in someone's life every single day.

She has taught us all how to give award-winning care and how to take care of each other in the process. She listens before she speaks, loves when needed and has united us all for the greater good.