Olena was my husband's nurse during most of the first week we were at Shirley Ryan. When she first met us, she asked if there was anything we needed. Since I was staying overnight with my husband, she brought us extra towels, sheets, and a pitcher of straws and silverware, besides the extra pitchers of water that we asked for. I mentioned that we would be at Shirley Ryan for our 54th wedding anniversary and would like to have some food delivered for that evening meal. She asked what type of food we liked. When I mentioned several types of food we liked, she said she would check with others on the staff to see what recommendations they might have.

The next day she returned with a list of 5 different restaurants and their addresses. Each restaurant offered a different cuisine. I was impressed that she took the time to help make our anniversary special. Olena always took the time to talk with us and to answer our questions. She wasn't just a nurse. She made us laugh! Since his Parkinson's medicines needed to be taken at a special time, she always would track him down in therapy to make sure he received his medicine on time. Olena's outgoing, warm personality besides her care and concern not only for my husband but for myself puts her at the top of the list.