Jennifer Keller was nominated for the award by a patient who has known her since childhood.

“This nurse has been a special part of my life since I was a child. For as long as I can remember, she has been my go-to person for shots because she is so gentle, quick, and never left a bruise,” the patient wrote. “As someone who was deathly afraid of needles, she was the only one who could ever manage them when I was younger. Now, as an adult, I look to her as an idol—the kind of person I want to be when I finish nursing school.”

The patient, now an LPN in training, praised Keller for her continued support.

“Every time I come in, she constantly asks how it's going and takes the time to break things down for me on a nursing level, even though I’m there as a patient. She gives me the opportunity to learn. She’s always asking how my family and children are, as we've been going there my whole life, and now my babies go there as well. Jen has a warm smile and is a friend to all. The whole staff there is wonderful, but she has stood out to me my entire life and is now a role model as I’m in school.”