One day this past May, Mary was in her car, on her way home after working a full shift when the charge nurse in the ER called her to let her know that the ER was expecting two patients in cardiac arrest, one of whom was only 28. Without hesitation, Mary came back into the hospital to lend a hand. Unfortunately, the young patient did not make it. Mary was there to comfort the patient's sister, who was initially the only family present. As more family showed up, Mary was prepared to make them comfortable, to offer a hug and solace. With the family was a small child, the nephew of the deceased patient. While the family was distraught with grief, Mary stayed with the child for nearly two hours. She watched television with him, offered to help him with his homework, and even took him to the vending machine, offering to buy him anything he wanted with her own money.

On a daily basis, Mary shows compassion expected from a nurse, but on this day, her actions were extraordinary...and yet, I am sure that Mary felt that she was only doing her job.

Mary is known throughout the hospital as a problem solver. She deals daily with patient and family complaints, yet she never loses her compassion and her desire to help.