top of page
Concrete_edited_edited.jpg

SECTION 4 

THANK YOU'S

I AM WHO I AM BECAUSE OF YOU 

as a baby nurse, I was exposed to DIVERSE TEACHING STYLES AND worked with inspired nurses with tips + perspectives as unique as

their stories

​

I DEVELOPED AND FOSTERED CRUCIAL RELATIONSHIPS GAINING GREAT MENTORS,

each had a profound effect on me, personally + professionallY


​

celebrate
their existence

8.5 years later, I am proud of MY PROGRESS AND INDIVIDUAL accomplishments through inquiry and work ethic; however

I tribute SOME OF my success to the following people because they opened a door where one did not exist or had faith in young new yorker that asked way to many questions!

​

​

RESPECTIVELY YOU ALL ignitED my passion, prevented it from being extinguished, guided mY explorATION or reminded me to REMAIN authentic to myself and the nurse I wanted to be

​

​

I AM BETTER BECAUSE OF YOU

TOP

she was as creative in her education techniques

as she was in her wound care. i recall many times i

was in awe of how my grandmother could fix

or jerry rig     anything for the patients needs.

the way she could get the job done with minimal

supplies NO techNOLOGY, AND ON A BUDGET was as impressive

as it was influential WITH MY COST CONSCIOUS APPROACH   

​

WITNESSING my grandmother CONNECTED TO HER PATIENTS, each interaction she effortlessLY established a rapport with

each PATIENT IN A UNIQUE WAY. SHE always available whether we were out of the country or having dinner. as a child i found this to be intrusive, but as a devoted nurse i realized i mimic this

​

CLUSTERING MY WORK WEEK       

ALLOWING A SEPARATE BUT FULLY.      

COMMITTED FOCUS AND DEVOTION.      

 

there was inherent trust in her WHICH I REALIZED LAID ON THE FOUNDATION OF EACH interaction IN COMBINATION WITH her CHARACTER

dependability, COMPASSIONATE, expertise, TRANSPARENT WERE JUST A FEW THINGS I NOTICED AT A YOUNG AGE BUT AS A PROFESSIONAL IN THE INDUSTRY WHEN I AM GIVEN THE PRIVILEGE TO SERVE

AS YOUR NURSE, I HONOR THE TRUST EACH PATIENT

PLACES IN MY HANDS  

​

it was apparent that she cared

for them and this MADE

HER FAMILY TO EACH OF THEM. SO MUCH

WHEN SHE PASSED AWAY SO MANY

PATIENTS OR THEIR CHILDREN CAME TO

THE REPASS OR REACHED OUT; THEY ALL

SHARED HOW THEIR LIVES WERE BRIGHTER

OR CHANGED BECAUSE OF HER PRESENCE

OR HOW THEIR LOVED ONE WOULD

TELL THEM STORIES ABOUT NURSE TRIA.

.

 she is a part of the healthcare legacy that inspired me,

listening to the impact she made on her patients or

in the lives of people she never met

​

my grandmother, the career she built, + the memories that remain

exemplifies the word legacy and what a good nurse does

Concrete_edited_edited.jpg

LEGACY

YAYA

ARMENTRIA "ya ya" MAKRIS,

AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS TRIA to friends, family, and patients alike. my grandmother WAS A HOMECARE NURSE. for thvisiting nurse serviec of new york VNSB+NY) 

 

I OFTEN JOINED MY GRANDMOTHER AT WORK in the field or the office. UNKNOWINGLY these moments SHAPed my idea of what a nurse is to her patients, her coworkers, and strangers alike.

nurse

shine

shine

my yaya stood maybe 5 4" from the ground BUT

SHE was tiny only in stature, she was a no nonsense

woman with a huge heart, i often describe her as

​

that feeling you get inside a stern hug

that smells of your. favorite memory

near a fireplace when you're cold + wet.

YAYA

she had a peculiar but effective approach with her patients, which i realize informed my unorthodox approach in connecting with my patients. SHE KNEW THEIR NAMES, DIAGNOSIS, and the little things

she would have milk for the patient who was running low but needed it for medication time, a pair of socks for the diabetic foot wound patient. she would ask how the visit with the GRANDCHILdren went OR place the New York Times opened to his favorite section for the bed bound patient who missed his walks to the lobby

She would eloquently serve them tough love when NEEDED, PERFECTLY DELIVERING THE MESSAGE, THE SCOLD, AND THE LOVE IN A LOOK AND FEW WORDS. 

YAYA
LEGACY

MA DUKES 
HIJAB HITTA
MOMMY

YOU GO BY MANY NAMES, 

but what is consistent is

that I know I can turn to you.

​

whether to help me think it through, or redirect

when things go wrong, you have shown me unconditional love and granted me intellectual freedom, shelter from danger and your presence when i was scared. each time you found patience and understanding even when I made the bird brain choice, you praised all my moments of  success, cheered from the sidelines, and taught me how to to do it better :) 

​

MOM
MOM2

​

your guidance gives me the strength to stand ten toes down. your wisdom or at least your voice guides me, and the confidence  you built in me has made me stronger than you know, but never too strong to need my ma dukes.... sheesh im only an adult in training 

 

you allowed me to grow like the wild flower child i am, encouraging me each step of the way even when you didn't understand or agree. thank you for never giving up on me. despite being quite the handful. i've never lived one day without feeling loved, supported, and unique.

thank you forgiving me the best of you 

 

love, your favorite (haha) 

FAMILY
PHOTO PERSONAL

Thank you for being a father to me; even though I am not your own flesh and blood, you have taken me in and loved me more than I could ever imagine. In my eyes.

CALVIN 

9CB39A8E-D6A6-4B0F-89A4-B35D65A4A2EA.JPG

MIDGE MAN 

MOM SAID I HAVE TO BE NICE LOL 

PLEASE HOLD

SADAE "LBS" WILLIAMS 

EACH OUTLANDISH IDEA, ANXIOUS MOMENT, VULNERABLE MOMENTS, hilarious memories of the things you taught me... you always got me, NEVER JUDGING, NEVER A PRESSED VOICE but somehow balance. im in awe of everything you juggle  manage to make time for your big little sis.

SISTER
SIS

with less than 5 words you completely get me or have tried something similar... from latch keys playing hookie to motherhood YOU ARE THE BLUEPRINT AND I LOVE YOU FART NUGGET

JAE

JAE
JAE

HELLLLLLLO LADY,

​

I AM HONORED TO BE YOUR AUNTIE SHINE. YOU ARE A CATALYST FOR ME TO PERSEVERE. YOU ARE worthy, BRILLIANT, FUNNY, AND unique! no one can define you, you are the author of your story!  stay humble and kind-hearted, what you say and do matters. Never be afraid to take a risks! stay present and grateful in every moment.  never rush judgement, Stay curious, and remember There is nothing you can say or do that I would leave your side. remember to BE FEARLESS AS YOU MAKE YOUR FOOTPRINT IN THIS WORLD. I WILL ALWAYS BE IN YOUR CORNER. LOVE YOU F. nugget 

JO

..... IM THINKING DONT RUSH ME LOL 

IT HAS TO BE CHEF'S KISS

 

OR ILL LIVE IN FEAR YOULL RETURN THE GOLDFISH

_edited_edited.jpg

SISTER COUSINS

COUSIN4

SISTER

COUSIN
COUSIN2
JOY
COUSIN5
COUSIN
COUSIN3
FAM
SPENSE
MOMS
CHAR
DAD
FAM
FAM
KETA
PHOTO PERSONAL
FAM
_edited_edited.jpg

THANK YOU

MENTORS
MATERASSO

ADAM MATERASSO you hold a special place in my heart and superhero telling of my story :) i never saw women like me in certain spaces but you taught me that should not limit my reach

because it didn't make me any less deserving. i applied

to a prestigious institution with only your help from

essay to postage.mailing even when ms regina was

hesitant. thank you for your thoughtful

encouragement, advocacy, and consistent support

amidst changes and challenges both inside and

outside of school.  when i tried to hide or figure

out my identity amongst high school hormones

you made me feel seen and supported. i commend you for

your tireless dedication to us, i modeled my approach to

connect with my patients after you. your effortless ability to remove barriers and reach every single student with a degree of unique nuance, anticipate our needs before we even knew we needed help, then deliver advice in a way we could receive while providing an agency of control or accountability-- was remarkable and crucial in my formidable years.  thank you for four years of positivity, acceptance, and encouragement because it instilled a sense of pride, confidence, belonging, and calculated risk taking that set me on the path of who i am, what i can accomplish, and the milestones that came shortly thereafter   

​

​

​

ANNA BROMPTON I am deeply grateful for the time invested in my growth that did not directly or immediately benefit the department.  you saw past the assumptions and preconceived notions about who i was and truly saw me. and taught me an alternative approach.  you invested in me personally, i am better because of it.your support has been a guiding light in my career and gave me the courage to proceed with emigration abroad (spoiler alert:: pandemic stopped my move to london) 

​

ANA

​

NEYSA ERNST YOU Were the espresso shot to

my career: strong, impactful, and absolutely vital. THANK YOU FOR YOUR FAITH IN ME AS A NOVICE NURSE., your INNOVATIon IN FINDING OPPORTUNITIES TO FOSTER MY GROWTH each time i grew restless, AND YOUR PATIENCE AS I FOUND MY VOICE. you model what a leader is, thank you for being the manager who nurtures dreams, fosters growth, and illuminates possibilities 

you led by example and if i can be half the woman, mentor, professional you are then I count it as a win

TANYA IVEY-BLOOM serving your community while serving your country on active duty, and still finding time to answer my endless amount of questions never once making me feel like a burden. you foolishly made eye contact and couldn't get rid of me. humbled to call YOU a MENTOR AND A friend. you are truly an inspired woman, Your advice and insights were instrumental.I’m genuinely grateful for all the wisdom, LAUGHS, TEARS, and advice you’ve shared.

​

​

​

MANAGER
MENTOR

​

​

Art Pease thank you fOR recognizING my potential and assistING my transfer from suburban to the main campus WITH ONLY 4-5 MONTHS OF EXPERIENCe.

_edited_edited.jpg

THANKS


OG FRIENDS THAT FEEL LIKE FAMILY.

FRIENDS
LUKBAN

LUKBAN 

JAMES LUKBAN

Your support and encouragement LITERALLY A DECADE IN, IS SOMETHING I DO NOT TAKE FOR GRANTED OR LIGHTLY. Thank you for EVERY SECOND YOU WERE A SOUNDING BOARD ON MY BAD DAYS, FOR EVERY MILE TRAVELED TO CREATE MEMORIES, believing in me WHEN I DOUBTED MYSELF, and for being the biggest PAIN IN my....

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

cheerleader, FOR BEING MY BIGGEST CHEERLEADER! 

Your words of encouragement have helped me through some dark times, we shared laughs that made us gasp for air, DEBATED FOR INTELLECTUAL SPORT, AND KINDLY CRITIQUED. its in those moments and EACH TIME YOU HAVE

TO remnd me TO

EAT I REALIZE

 JUST HOW

blessed

I AM TO have

a lukban 

LUKBAN2
LUKBAN4

EMILY FISCH

EAF

 ARE TRULY A gem in my life A YEAR can PASS AND ID BE ON THE PLANE IN YOUR LIVING ROOM AS IF IT WAS 2 WEEKS. YOU ALLOWED ME TO BE AUTHENTICALLY ME, YOU ARE MY OG SCHULTZBERG READY TO FAKE AN INJURY TO GET

ME OUT OF A DATE,

EAT MY COOKIES

AFTER THE FIRE

DEPARTMENT,

AND never 

forget TO (CITE).. 

I AM REJUVENATED

RECOUNTING THE

MEMORIES BOTH 

RECENT AND FROM

THE GOOD OLD DAYS... IT FEELS LIKE IT WAS YESTERDAY... THE THESIS SUITCASE, SONGS COMING ACROSS THE HALL AT ANY GIVEN TIME, OUR GIRAFFE PJ PARTIES, YOUR        upliftING CARDS AND 

THE FISCHES...FISCHI

(THE VOTE WAS STILL OUT) YOUR FAMILY WELCOMING ME LITERALLY WEEK 1. our friendship has been a constant source of comfort and support. YOUR ARE THE EPITOME OF LOVE AND LIGHT, IM PROUD TO STAND BY YOUR SIDE as you hit that high note and i yell about your inside pants, outside

EAF

CHE ANDERSON

CHE

​ what can i say, 

nothing! that blackmail dates back to fireball in A SINK and middle school's bedazzled bandanas. unlike MANY in this list you

have always

reminded me

there is more

to life and

not every

moment has

to be

intentional. 

WHO KNOWS WHAT LIBRARY, MOSH PIT,

oR MUSIC FESTIVAL i'D BE LOST AT WITHOUT YOU. YOU ALWAYS SEEM TO FIND ME

CHE2
CHE4

CHELMO

you've encouraged me to be authentically me, even when that means you have to stop being the cool one and be goofy with me :)  

we have. grown together,

LAUGHED UNTIL WE CRIED, + WIPED AWAY SNOT BUBBLES

man you are

today + cheer

in all your

accomplishments

im so proud

To BE the

zoe to your 

DELON TURPIN

 you're a true ANGEL, HE SENT YOU HERE BEFORE I KNEW I WOULD NEED SOMEONE LIKE YOU! i am honored to call you friend, you are beautiful inside and out, accepting,

fearless, pATIENT,  and graceful despite wearing many hats confidant, friend, cousin, nurse, daughter, and not to  mention a 

published author

DELEN

 THINK BACK TO PRAYERS BEFORE OUR COMMUTES, THOSE SILENT PANICKED GLANCES BEFORE AN EXAM, AND PERFECTING OUR CLINICALS APPROACH.  GIRL! YOU got me through IT, BACK, THEN THROUGH IT AGAIN. WITH YOU IN  MY CORNER school, death, loss, change, and then more change WAS A WALK In THE PARK. you were unshakable and I AM INSPIRED AND GRATEFUL FOR YOU

BECKHAM

WACO 

 want to take a moment to shout you out your support and friendship mean a lot to me, and I truly appreciate everything you do Thanks for always being there, whether it’s sharing a laugh, offering solid advice, or just hanging out. Your loyalty and encouragement make a big difference in my life, and I’m grateful to have you by my side.
.

OUR ORIGIN STORY IS AS HILARIOUS AS THE STORIES WE LIVE... I SWEAR IM LOOKING IN A MIRROR AT TIMES BUT I DONT THINK I HAVE THAT MANY GRAYS YET. YOU TURNED A HORRID VACATION AROUND, EMBRACED ME WITH INQUIRY + ACCEPTANCE NOT TO MENTION YOU WERE ALSO A SOLO, DOWN FOR THE

PISCO SOUR SHENANIGANS

2AM DRUNKEN COVID SWABS

NOT TO DOWNPLAY THE AIRPORT CHAOS

YOU ARE A FASCINATING FRIEND

IM COUNTING DOWN TO OUR NEXT TRIP 

BRUCE

BRUCE HEATH

ALLY
YOUNG

ALLY

 where do i start?! cliche but i knew we'd be besties from the moment you cursed me out on day 1 of my contract (haha) from dayton to slumber parties and those annoyingly hard days, you make life as hilarious as some of those shifts AT DG. YOU ARE MY BREATH OF EAST COAST AIR ON THIS COAST we started out as colleagues BUT DARE I SAY WE ARE FRIENDS BECAUSE YOURE STUCK WITH ME IDK IF YOU GOT THE MEMO. ThankS for ALWAYS BEING AUTHENTIC, VULNERABLE, AND TRUSTING ME AS YOUR FRIEND enough.

DAZA aND SiByL 
 I CHERISH YOUR FRIENDSHIPS IMMENSELY. UNKNOWNINGLY, YOU BOTH CHALLENGED ME TO EXCEED WHAT was EXPECTED of me and the standards i set for myself. you REMINDED ME ITS OKAY TO WALK TO THE
BEAT OF MY OWN DRUM in my time of
unmasking, AND HELPED M
E UP WHEN I
STUMBLED. d
aza, i cherish those nights
you h
osteddinner and we discuss our
home reno or begrungingly SCH
OOL.

SIBS
DAZA

Sibs, from med-surg to our specialities, two countries, an rv, and tik tok fame later i am so grateful to know i have a friend in you. i laugh at those times we DENied AN OBVIOUS STATIONARY ADDICTION or turning your handwriting into wall art for my home. YOU EACH HAD A UNIQUE INFLUENCE THAT STANDS THE TEST OF TIME ZONES AND TIME ITSELF.

THANK YOU michael daza and the infamous sibyl 

_edited.jpg
JHH FRIEND
FRIEND3
PHOTO PERSONAL
JHH 1
MD FRIEND
MATT
GARY
FRIEND2
BRANDON
FRIEND
BROCK
PATIENT
ANWAR
GARY
FRIEND4
THANK YOU ALL

INFAMOUS C.C.

ANTHONY BECKHAM 

KITE

AIYANA JONES

JEN FAIRY GODMOTHER 

​

ADAM MATERASSO

TOM BANZON 

ANGELA YU

SHANEA HARRIS

MY HOPKINS ED CREW <3 

jen 

sharifa 

shanika

 

HALSTED 4/MEYER 9 FAMILY 

Doris neng 

ashley haas

TARREL CCSR

MS. CATHY UA

tracey henderson

mariah king

sherita.    nicole

camille     rose

THANK YOU

celebrate
their existence

CHARLSEA BURGESS

KIM EXUM 

EMILY "AUNTIE EM"

AUNTIE CHERENA 

KETA MEYERS

the adderly family 

ruby "gammy gam" 

THANK YOU

CAROLINE

BIBEK GUPTA

ANNA KATZ

 Sandra Piedra

NOAH

KRISTONOFF

NICOLE PATTERSON

NIKKI BUTLER

ROBERTO RODRIGUEZ

TIM STAHL 

ANNA K <3 

CAROLINE
ISSAIH

AMON

bottom of page