As the retired director of a worldwide employee health service of a major pharmaceutical company in NYC, I can recognize nurses who go above and beyond their clinical duties.

As I sat by my mother's side, who was just admitted and unresponsive, in walked Colleen Accardi, RN, our admission nurse. After she obtained the necessary information, she sat down next to me and helped me think through the plans I might need to consider in a caring and gentle way. She checked on Mom and me the following night, and on the third night, she called me at home to say Mom was responding to treatment. Her care was extraordinary and appreciated.