Ms. Mei Palulem and I have worked together for the past 13 years and since that time she has remained persistent in the care and compassion she demonstrates while caring for her patients. One of our patients lost his first access and a new access was placed; while allowing it to mature he would dialyze via a catheter. All the while Mei gently taught him how to care for it while at home, so he would not develop an infection. When the time came for the surgeon to clear his fistula for use, the patient refused belligerently, saying, “This is my lifeline; I don't want anyone messing with it.” After several times of refusing cannulation of his fistula, Ms. Palulem, in her sincere and compassionate manner, took him by the hand one day when he came in and said, "I will be cannulating you today." She allowed him to vent, then asked, are you ready? He looked at her, laughed, and stretched out his hand, and allowed her to cannulate his access. He did not even realize the needles were in until she was finished. Ms. Palulem has often gone throughout the inpatient units and outpatient unit to cannulate the first-time use fistulae, never complaining. If you happen to come to work at 6:30 a.m. you will hear her joyfully singing as she walks through the buildings to arrive on her unit.