Yirancis was nominated by her patient’s family member, who stated:

This was my sister’s first-ever visit to Cooley, and she was nervous because she was unsure of what to expect after so many hospital stays over the years. Normally, she shuts down, keeps to herself, and barely talks during admissions. But the moment Yaya walked in, she smiled with this beautiful, genuine smile and introduced herself in a way that immediately eased the tension in the room.

She was so kind, took her time, and made sure my sister understood what was happening without ever rushing her. At one point, Yaya even gently adjusted my sister’s blanket and held her hand while explaining something to her, and I could see her shoulders finally relax. My sister even laughed with her, and for the first time in years, she didn’t look worn down by being in a hospital.

She was talking, joking around, and smiling. Yaya also made sure I felt included, answering my questions without me having to ask. By the time we left, my sister was still smiling and talking about how much she loved her. And after years of hospital stays that usually left her anxious and withdrawn, it was nice to see a part of my sister back.