When my mom was admitted to IMC from ICU after her brain injury, everything in our world was still turned upside down. Those first days were full of fear and uncertainty. In the middle of all that, Paulina became one of the brightest lights in the room. From the very beginning, she treated my mom with such patience, tenderness, and respect. She didn’t just check vitals or give medications — she talked to my mom, not at her. She explained things gently, reassured her when she was scared, and treated her like someone she genuinely cared about, not just another patient.

For me, as her daughter, watching that kind of care has meant everything. Paulina has this calm, compassionate energy that makes even the hardest days feel a little more bearable. She notices the little things — when my mom’s pain looks worse, when she’s confused, or when I’m barely holding it together — and she always takes the time to help, comfort, and explain. I also work at a Seton Hospital and alongside nurses every day, so I know what it means to be a truly exceptional nurse. Paulina stands out. She embodies what nursing is meant to be — heart, empathy, and healing that goes beyond medicine. I’ll never forget the difference she’s made in my mom’s recovery and in our lives.