Rafael is the nicest, kindest, most compassionate nurse I know. This holiday season, Thanksgiving 2024, he has gone above and beyond to make sure our community had a fully staffed and safe ER. His compassion showed when he picked up Sunday night so a coworker could go to an important doctor's appointment for her husband. Then he worked his two scheduled night shifts, Monday and Tuesday. He spent those nights teaching, orientating, and mentoring our newest nurse in the ER and our new locum Doctor, who had his first shift on Tuesday night. Then, on Wednesday night, he picked up an extra shift to cover an ill call and again helped mentor the new nurse and new locum Doctor. And again, on Thursday he volunteered to give up part of his holiday off with his family to cover a hole in the staffing that they were unable to get covered. He adjusted his plans and was still able to spend time with his family and help his coworkers and community by working extra all week. He does all of this for his friends, coworkers, and the community. His heart is so big, and he always is helping others. He doesn’t want to see people struggle or hurt. It doesn’t matter what is going on with a patient; he puts them at ease. He goes above and beyond for everyone. He is such a great mentor. I am proud to say he is my friend, mentor, co-worker, and my hero!!