Sophia was assigned to one of my family members while he was here at SMC. As both an employee here at SMC and a family member of a patient who was in our ICU and critically ill, it was an extremely stressful and scary time for my family and me. On one of our hardest days, when my uncle was really not doing well, Sophia happened to be his nurse that day. My aunt and I were feeling pretty grim about his status, and any light at the end of the tunnel seemed to be dwindling. Sophia came in to talk to us about his status and the plan for the next couple of days, and brought with her the warmest, freshest attitude, but also was realistic about what may or may not be on the horizon. The compassionate communication she used was exactly what we needed at that moment. She was calm, composed, and most of all, kind. She instilled a hope in us that I didn't think I could cultivate within myself to put on a brave face for my family that day. It was at that moment that I realized it wasn't what she was saying, it was how she communicated with us that day that made us feel so much better. I walked away from that visit to my uncle's bedside with a sliver of hope that I hadn't felt in many days.

Sophia's art of nursing is what makes me so proud to not only be a nurse as well, but also a nurse at Saddleback. I have seen firsthand from both a coworker's point of view and as a family member, the power of nursing and the spirit in which we deliver care. Sophia exemplifies that and more, simply better care, every patient, every time.

Thank you, Sophia, for being our guardian angel that day. My family and I are eternally grateful to you!