Gaya was wonderful. I'd never been in a hospital, never had surgery, never spent the night in ICU, and never went through physical and occupational therapy. I managed to do all of that within a few days. From the moment the paramedics brought me to Waterman, everyone on the staff did exactly what they were trained to do, and everyone did it professionally and with an amazing level of care.

When I was transferred to Waterman's rehab center after undergoing surgery, I recognized Gaya's approach to care seemed a touch unique. I'm not saying the other nurses weren’t proficient or dedicated, but what I did notice was that while there's a certain level of conversation between a patient and their nurses, interactions with Gaya were always more meaningful. She shared stories of her life, her family, caring for her father, and her passion for nursing, and although I never forgot that I was a patient, getting a glimpse behind her professional status decreased the distance between us.

Over the course of a few days, I began to feel less like a patient and more like a family member who was the subject of her concern. Considering where I was and the condition I was in, Gaya's ability to break down barriers while simultaneously maintaining the necessary professional divisions between our roles as patient and caregiver was extraordinary in any. For her ability to transcend barriers and put a first-time patient at ease.