I have worked with Carol Anderson, RN, for over 30 years in the operating room. She started as a staff nurse and moved up the ladder to a team leader position, and then to Unit Based Educator. She excels in effective teaching and encouragement of new employees.

Carol effectively uses humor and sincere interest in helping all staff grow and learn. She promotes a high degree of morale and shows compassion while giving comfort to all her patients, families and their friends.

One day, Carol was assisting anesthesia on a patient that needed her gall bladder remove. Before the patient went to sleep, the patient -- with a tear in her eye -- told Carol she was homeless and currently living in a shelter.

Deeply moved, Carol took her break time to ask several fellow employees if she could have the present they got at a department secret Santa gift exchanged. She also collected food donations from the department's food drive, including cans of soup, candy bars, new socks, etc. Carol wrapped them in Christmas wrap, put them in a white bag and placed them on the patient's cart in the PACU.

When the patient woke up, she asked what was in the bag. The PACU nurse said, "Santa’s been here." The patient was so thrilled and grateful that someone had thought of her. As I understand, the surgeon found out about Carol's compassion and thoughtfulness and gave Carol a big hug and thanked her.

This is just one of the many things that Carol does for our patients and department that makes me proud to know and work with Carol.