When I think of Lily, I think of the model student with a super big smile on her face! Her enthusiasm and optimism is contagious! She always has a positive attitude, is extremely motivated to learn, hone her nursing skills, and apply what she learns in the clinical setting to provide optimal care to her assigned clients. She is inquisitive and yearns to enhance her learning, in addition to always going above and beyond to provide holistic, client-centered care as she takes her role as a healer very seriously. She yearns for perfection and is, therefore, always receptive to instructor feedback to ensure she is providing the best care possible.

When working with clients at Western Psychiatric Hospital, she dove right in on her first day to initiate a conversation with her assigned client without any reservation or judgment. She was, therefore, able to quickly develop a therapeutic rapport because of her ability to use her therapeutic communication techniques effectively. Her paperwork is extremely detailed and thorough, and she goes above and beyond by challenging herself to ensure she has a complete understanding of the concepts/material presented to her. She is a leader/role model amongst her peers and has always remained positive and optimistic. She consistently shows caring and kindness to both faculty and her peers.

Outside of the classroom, Lily’s life reflects a kind and compassionate person, as evidenced by her ability to balance her home life as a mother, employee/work life, and spiritual life. She has been such an asset to our SSON Bible study, which she consistently attends and provides encouragement and support to her peers. She is always so grateful and appreciative of faculty and takes the time out of her busy schedule to regularly validate others. I am so blessed to have met Lily, as she reminds me of why I love teaching and is a prime example of the positive impact we, as faculty, can have on the future generation of nursing students in addition to improving the quality of life of the clients we serve. She encompasses all of the key qualities of nursing (caring, advocating, and leading), and I am so excited to welcome her into the wonderful profession of nursing with open arms as a proud SSON graduate/alumni! It will be such an honor to watch her walk across that stage, as she has earned it!

Thank you, Lily, for being you, and keep shining bright for others to see!