I am honored to nominate one of the most extraordinary nurses I have ever had the privilege of working with. Anna came all the way from Germany to the United States and adapted incredibly quickly to a new healthcare system, culture, and way of practicing. Despite the challenges of being an international nurse, she never once hesitated to go above and beyond not just for her patients, but for her colleagues and the entire unit. She has an unparalleled passion for patient advocacy. She stands up for her patients with fierce compassion, making sure they are treated with dignity and respect in every moment of their care. She’s the kind of nurse who will wash a patient’s hair in bed, not because someone told her to, but because she understands how small acts of care can help preserve a patient’s sense of self in the most vulnerable times. She once told me she does it because nobody should lose themselves while lying in a hospital bed. That's who she is.

Her empathy and humanity extend beyond the bedside. She is a true team player, always ready to help, never too busy to lend a hand, and she has a gift for making everyone, patients, families, and staff feel seen, heard, and valued. Her words are always encouraging, her energy uplifting, and her presence reassuring. She’s also a fierce advocate for safe learning environments, especially for new graduate nurses. She’s been a mentor, a guide, and a role model to so many, myself included.

As an international nurse, I wouldn’t be here today without her. She helped me navigate the registration process, study for the NCLEX, and believe in myself every step of the way. Her support was life-changing. Patients have gone so far as to make donations in her honor, not because she asked, but because her care touched them so deeply. She is modest to a fault and never seeks recognition. She recently transitioned from Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz to her dream hospital, John Muir in Walnut Creek, in May. John Muir, you are so lucky to have her. She is truly a once-in-a-lifetime nurse. She’s passionate about becoming a nurse educator one day because, in her words, she believes in creating safe spaces for everybody who is choosing our beautiful profession. With her heart, her brilliance, and her unwavering integrity, I know Anna will go far. She embodies everything this recognition stands for. She has changed lives, and she will continue to change many more.