My dad was in and out of the Milwaukee VA for several weeks. Old age had caught up with him, and he was trying hard to hang onto a worn out body. But his mind, heart, and soul were that of a champion. This old WWII veteran had seen better days. Yolanda was his first contact when moved from ER to a room. He teased her and she teased him, and he loved seeing her come into the room, just to cheer him up. She was honest, helpful, and respectful, not only to dad, but to his huge family who constantly surrounded him. She took time to just be with us, when we were scared, tired, or worried. She even took the time to check on him (and us) when he was moved to other units (like the ICU).
One night when we were really upset, Yolanda said "my job is not to take care of the patient, it's to take care of him, his family and everyone concerned about him!" She was absolutely who we needed: a friend with a nursing degree. The kind of friend you feel comfortable calling anytime. And we did. We tracked her down and she welcomed us and the questions when we needed her advice and concern. The comfort and the security that she was there - what a blessing she was! We could sleep at night. Dad has since passed on, at home with family. But if we couldn't have been there, she'd be the one we'd trust.
*Nomination signed by his daughter and: 6 children, 6 spouses, 16 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren.