...A patient began to cry and said he would not have made it without Laurie Zapp, RN. He went on to tell me that "Nurses like her, give people like me hope".

He had been diagnosed with Stage IV Colon Cancer at the beginning of the week and had undergone extensive surgery. Not only had Laurie provided exceptional care that day but the day before his surgery when she asked if there was anything else she could do or anything he would like before his surgery; he said he would really like a piece of pizza. Given that it was a weekend evening and our cafeteria had already closed Laurie Zapp, called and ordered him a pizza. This is no small feat given there is no pizza delivery in the area. She paid for and arranged pick up for the pizza so the patient could have something he wanted as his last real meal.

When the house supervisor saw her the evening of the pizza pick up, Laurie, with tears in her eyes, said the pizza was not for her to take home but for a patient.

Maya Angelou states "as a nurse, we have the opportunity to heal the heart, mind, soul, and body of our patients, their families, and ourselves. They may forget your name but they will never forget how you made them feel.

Laurie embodies the essence of nursing for not only this patient but all those who she cares for.