When I came to Kaiser San Jose 16 years ago as a new nurse I was in awe of this nurse. I would watch his interaction with my fellow nurses, patients, and families, hoping that someday I would have that confidence. He always was the nurse that anyone could go to for help with a problem. Cuong Pham was and is a LEADER; here was this tiny male nurse whose presence was as big as the sky. I always hoped that I would be scheduled to work on the days that he worked because Cuong’s clinical knowledge was stronger than that of a nurse who had been here for many years. Cuong is a teacher, mentor, friend, and most of all a patient advocate. For years Cuong has used his vacation days to teach young student Nurses. He brings them here to Kaiser San Jose to shadow our nurses and help mold the nurses of our future into caring, compassionate nurses. Cuong is an inspiration to all who meet him. When I watch his student as he sits with them and talks about their day on the floor I wonder if they realize how lucky they are to have this man, this Nurse, this Extraordinary person who exemplifies nursing as their instructor.