September 2026 Honoree
Fatima Villacruz, RN
Fatima exhibits all 5 of the I CARE principles. I was a patient for an entire month. I feel inadequate to express fully the gratitude I have for her.
Fatima came in when I was admitted; I was sincerely welcomed to the "Rancho Family". I was pretty broken, and her authentic greeting made me less fearful and feel safe. Her compassion was deeply authentic and from the heart. To me, "heart touches heart." That is true compassion.
She made me feel safe because she was advocating for me to my team. She would check in with me almost daily, which kind of blew me away. She had a whole unit of patients, and she made me feel as though I was very important. She really cared.
I wanted to get better so much so that I was hardly in my bed. I'd wheel around in my wheelchair, and when I couldn't use my arm, I would walk in my chair all around the unit. I saw as a quiet "spectator" how she was with the staff. I actually witnessed love coming from her toward the other nurses. This was extraordinary to me.
I've been in hospitals many times and have never witnessed or experienced anything as I did on the unit. I feel frustrated as well, because I would like to nominate the entire nursing staff for an award. I experienced that every day for an entire month. Extraordinary!
I knew she holds herself to the highest standards and encourages the other nurses as well. The dignity and respect with which she treated me personally were so impactful and healing. How many people in the world can say that? Not many!
She has my deep gratitude.
Fatima came in when I was admitted; I was sincerely welcomed to the "Rancho Family". I was pretty broken, and her authentic greeting made me less fearful and feel safe. Her compassion was deeply authentic and from the heart. To me, "heart touches heart." That is true compassion.
She made me feel safe because she was advocating for me to my team. She would check in with me almost daily, which kind of blew me away. She had a whole unit of patients, and she made me feel as though I was very important. She really cared.
I wanted to get better so much so that I was hardly in my bed. I'd wheel around in my wheelchair, and when I couldn't use my arm, I would walk in my chair all around the unit. I saw as a quiet "spectator" how she was with the staff. I actually witnessed love coming from her toward the other nurses. This was extraordinary to me.
I've been in hospitals many times and have never witnessed or experienced anything as I did on the unit. I feel frustrated as well, because I would like to nominate the entire nursing staff for an award. I experienced that every day for an entire month. Extraordinary!
I knew she holds herself to the highest standards and encourages the other nurses as well. The dignity and respect with which she treated me personally were so impactful and healing. How many people in the world can say that? Not many!
She has my deep gratitude.
Thank you, Fatima, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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