Inez enters work every day with the mindset to provide great, compassionate care. Her focus is always on what each patient needs and how she can assist them. When she ambulates open-heart surgery patients, she is patient and understanding. She recognizes that they don't feel well. And she gives them the grace to take their time and does everything she can to keep them safe and comfortable. When she is educating cardiac patients, she treats every patient as if they are the only patient she has to see that day. She is thorough and takes time to answer all of their questions. She asks questions to ensure they have all of the resources they need when they go home. If they don't, she works to ensure that they receive those resources. She is constantly going above and beyond. In outpatient cardiac rehab,  we can have very challenging patients, and she always meets them with respect and kindness. She always finds a way to meet every patient where they are and help them improve. 

Inez is also a mentor to her coworkers. Her experience and knowledge of cardiology are invaluable. She always takes the time to mentor other caregivers and help them grow in their knowledge.   Inez embodies the core values of IMH all day, every day. She is kind and empathetic and always does what is right for the patient and her department. She wears her heart on her sleeve, and her compassion is genuine. Inez elevates the standard and causes everyone around her to be better. I feel so fortunate to have Inez on my team. I have learned so much from her about how to be a better caregiver and also how to be a better person. I truly cannot say enough to capture all that Inez does and to express my gratitude for her fully.  Inez takes the time to get to know her patients, and she remembers every single one of them very well. In outpatient cardiac rehab, Inez is great about recognizing patients' goals and motivating them to increase their workloads or try a new piece of exercise equipment. Inez has the type of personality that makes everyone want to do better and that rubs off on our patients. Because of her ability to engage with and motivate patients, she has helped many patients increase their functional capacity and achieve their goals. If Inez is not in the gym, patients are constantly asking about her and asking when she'll be back in the gym. They truly respect her and look forward to interacting with her when she is here.   

When Inez educates cardiac patients in the hospital, she takes all the time that is needed to ensure the patient understands their condition and what they need to do to be successful at home. If a patient has a barrier to success, Inez collaborates with the appropriate people to help the patient overcome that barrier. She is a tremendous advocate for the patients and has the knowledge to provide them with the support they need.   Inez is not selfish with her wealth of knowledge. She is always willing to mentor and teach her coworkers. It is evident that she enjoys teaching and helping people grow. I have never worked with someone who has more of a positive impact on patients and coworkers than Inez does.