My nurse is special to me because Nurse Mani Raja was such a wonderful "ambassador" representing the Washington DC VA Medical Center with her compassionate care as she fully engaged me as her patient making me feel as if I was truly an important and integral part of my medical team. She consistently and in a timely fashion informed and educated me on the medications and the procedures necessary for my healthcare. She is a kind and benevolent person who willingly used her position to share her knowledge with both me and the nurse assistants with grace and patience never once making me feel as if I was taking too much of her time. Given her ability to establish trust quickly, she was the liaison I needed to give the number of specialists involved in my care and my speech disorder and anticipated my needs, so that I could rest. She has set the bar high in excellence!