A Tribute to Nurses: From Past to Present, A Doctor’s Grateful Reflection
By Dr. Zoran Naumovski
As we near Nurses Week 2025, I feel an urge to take a moment to pause, reflect, and importantly, offer a sincerely personal and heartfelt thank-you to the remarkable nurses who have influenced my life and shaped my medical journey. Over nearly thirty years in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics — encompassing residency at Ohio State University Medical Center and Columbus Children’s Hospital (1996–2000), years in private practice (2000–2008), and my continuing role as a hospitalist (2008–present) — I’ve experienced a variety of environments, each linked by the steadfast presence of nursing excellence.
In every aspect of care — from the neonatal ICU to the general medical floor, from outpatient clinics to high-intensity COVID units — nurses have been by my side. At times, they have taken the lead. At times, they have caught me when I stumbled. And always, they have motivated me.
This article serves not just as a personal thank-you note but also as a broader homage to every nurse — named and unnamed — whose quiet strength, skill, and spirit have played a crucial role in my professional and personal journey.
The First Teacher: A Nurse in the NICU
I start with a nurse whose name has faded from my memory, yet whose influence is unforgettable. On my inaugural day in the neonatal intensive care unit, overwhelmed by a multitude of wires, monitors, and delicate newborns, she reached out. She quietly educated me — a hesitant intern — with thirty years of NICU insight. By my side, she guided me through one of medicine’s most vital procedures: the intubation of a 24-week premature infant. That night, she was not “just a nurse.” She was my protector, my mentor, my ally in saving a life. For all of that, I am eternally grateful.
Crystal: The Anchor of Private Practice
Some nurses are more than coworkers — they become an extension of oneself. Crystal was that anchor during my time in private practice. She was my nurse, indeed, but also my right hand, my heart, my emotional anchor. When delivering the unimaginable news of a terminal diagnosis to parents, she stood by me in those sacred, sorrowful moments. Crystal recognized the unsaid — my doubts, my fears — and helped me navigate them with empathy and steadfast support. During those formative years, I could not have managed the clinic without her.
A Christmas Eve Choir: Healing in the Stairwell
Medicine often resembles a symphony. Sometimes, that symphony becomes palpable. On a chilly Christmas Eve in 2013, between hospital shifts and after an emotionally exhausting code, I found myself in a stairwell — physically and emotionally drained. As midnight approached, a male nurse began to sing “O Holy Night” in a tenor that echoed through the cinder block walls and directly into our hearts. That moment, experienced with fellow nurses, respiratory therapists, and others, became the unplanned debrief that no one knew we needed. It reminded me that amid the chaos of hospital life, there exists grace.
Companions in Spirit: Sieglinde, Jason, Amy, and Others
Then come the everyday heroes — the joyful Sieglinde, whose German conversations inexplicably blended with my Macedonian; Jason, whose CPR abilities were rivaled only by his infectious laughter; Amy, whose mere presence soothed my burdens and frustrations; and Sara, who assisted in bringing my children into the world and later lovingly joked during my kidney stone procedure.
Each nurse contributed more than just technical expertise — they brought humanity, lightness, and connection. In moments of pain, confusion, or joy, their impact was profound.
COVID Warriors and Kindred Souls
No tribute would be complete without acknowledging the warriors who stood resolute during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nurses like Savanna, who fiercely defended her patients and colleagues, became symbols of unyielding determination. With her signature bandana proclaiming “Not Today Satan!”, she infused strength and humor into the most challenging situations.
Robert and Tina, two nurses-turned-nurse practitioners, joined me in those same battlegrounds. In the most challenging eras of modern healthcare, they provided care not just for patients — but also for colleagues, epitomizing the unity and resilience of the profession.
The Unwavering Companion: Kathy
Finally, I must pay tribute to Kathy — a woman whose name will forever stay with me and whose compassion transcends all settings. From home health care for a vulnerable pediatric patient, to the battlegrounds of the ICU, to her vow that neither of us would ever face our last days alone — Kathy exemplified devotion. True to her promise, on my last day, she met me outside the hospital, accompanied me to my car, and embraced me in a way I will never forget.
Yesterday, today,