I have been a nurse for 34 years, most recently as the hospital's CNO for the last 8 years. Many nurses have crossed my path, and I know excellence when I see it. I cannot emphasize enough the care, compassion, thoroughness, intelligence, and kindness Julia Dueker portrayed during my mother’s stay.

My mom was admitted with a brain tumor. She had this surgically removed on Labor Day. Julia wasn’t her nurse that day, but she did everything in her power to alleviate my worries and my mom’s worries the day before surgery. When she returned to the unit before the ICU stay, Julia wasn’t her nurse, but she came to visit. She is going places! Thank you.