Ada and I have managed many patients together for our sickle cell clinic. These patients are very sick and have many medical and social needs. She has become a first point of contact for many of them when in need and sick and scared, and she is excellent at communicating with them and comforting them and basically being a constant in a system that mistreats our patients regularly.

One patient in particular was abusing drugs but still had a high need for a broken hip that needed to be replaced. He called in frequently and was often angry about his situation. Rather than be defensive or dismissive, she became a person for him to lean on through a very difficult time. These are the kinds of times that you can't train someone to take care of or teach how to manage. I believe the ability to truly connect and care for people like this is part of a personality that some people simply don't have. Ada has this and then some.