Before Orquedia came to my room, I felt defeated despite my best efforts to obtain specialized medical care. Her optimistic spirit and attention to the rather unpleasant aspects of the personal care of my condition necessitated keeping my hope alive that I could recover. She sensed that I was deteriorating emotionally, and knowing (from her thorough review of my chart) that I was deteriorating physically, she persisted tirelessly to try to ensure I received the best care possible. She always followed through on every detail of my case, even arriving very early in the AM. All the attributes listed (empathy, clinical skills, compassion, infectious positive attitude & professionalism) are manifest ten-fold in Orquedia. Such skill set includes but is not limited to 1. seeing to it that I was moved as painlessly as possible when almost every inch of my body hurt when touched; 2. helping me retain my dignity following numerous uncomfortable involuntary bowel movements; 3. engaged with me on a personal level as a valued individual human being; 4. conversing with me kindly & in detail without condensation; 5. checking on my welfare & status often & regularly keeping track of everything on the board where I could refer to it as necessary; 6. telling me I have a beautiful smile & am special when I feel as ugly and helpless as I ever have in my life; 7. "Bird dogging" every aspect of my care through the days she was my nurse. Orquedia personifies nursing excellence & should be recognized for her absolute dedication to the professionalism of nursing.