Laurinda Finn-Davis, RN, represents the epitome of giving. The reproductive health nursing supervisor with the Richmond City Health District regularly goes above and beyond the requirements of service and care to ensure that people are valued. “You might not remember my name, but you will remember how I treated you,” she says. And remember, they do.

Ms. Finn-Davis’ ability to touch people’s lives and her service to patients, staff and community was recently recognized when she was honored as the Virginia Department of Health’s Central Region Nurse of the Year. She was honored during a ceremony last Thursday in Arlington. The event kicked off National Nurses Week, May 6 through 12.

According to the Healthcare Workforce Data Center of the Virginia Department of Health Professions, there are more than 76,000 registered nurses (RNs) in the Virginia workforce. Yet annually, only three nurses in the state are honored as Nurse of the Year.

Along with Ms. Finn-Davis, a nurse from the state’s Northern and Eastern regions were honored.

In her 36 years of nursing, Ms. Finn-Davis has achieved distinction as someone who is passionate about reproductive health. She supervises and guides the health department clinical team that includes other nurses, nursing students, interns, lab workers and social workers.

She brings smiles to the faces of other nurses who work long hours caring for others, as well as to patients who are pregnant, struggling with illness or experiencing grief due to a loss. She recalls that when she first starting treating patients, one of the things she noticed was that she had to treat the whole person.

“So, my goal was to treat them medically but to also reach them on an interpersonal level,” she said. “I needed to know that they had eaten and a place to stay, because if those were pressing issues for them, they wouldn’t listen to me,” she says. Often, Ms. Finn-Davis is a bright spirit at work because of the colorful hats, shirts and Christmas adornments she wears to cheer up patients during the holidays. She has become known as “Miss Christmas” and “Santa’s Helper” for her outfits. Regardless of season or reason, Ms. Finn-Davis is always about giving and connecting with people in a way that says, “You are special.”

Paging this week’s Personality, Nurse Laurinda Finn-Davis:

What I do: Supervise clinical staff; provide hands-on nursing care to maternity, family planning and triage patients; and serve as a group facilitator for Centering Pregnancy, Grief and Loss expertise, staff orientation, the Mayor’s Breastfeeding Commission and as a resource for incarcerated pregnant women.

Date and place of birth: July 8, Fort Lee, Va.

Current residence: Chesterfield County.

Alma mater: Bachelor of science in nursing, University of Virginia.

Family: Husband, Ronald Davis; daughter, Bianca Davis; and stepson, Sivad Davis.

What this award means to me: Everything!! It is so special since it comes from my team whom I work directly with. My entire 36 years of nursing has been within women’s/children health and this represents years of hard work and passion for the patients I see. Nursing covers so many areas and we are at the top of the list for being trustworthy by the public. To be recognized shows how much others appreciate what you do, but it is not my reason to continue. It just helps to validate that you are appreciated, and we all need that.

What motivates me: Positive relationships with family, friends, co-workers, patients and strangers. You never know how a kind word or gesture can make the difference in someone’s day.

Why I became a nurse: I always had a love for babies long before I became a mother myself. I come from a family of teachers, and nursing allows me to both care for and teach someone about their health. Understanding, along with compassion, hopefully lead to a positive outcome and enhanced attitude. Nursing is so varied that I knew I would be exposed to many different aspects of health care and never be bored. I am still amazed with every new pregnancy and the life that it brings with the traits and physical attributes of the parents. I respect those nurses working in other fields and applaud that ER nurse who is constantly running on adrenalin, that Communicable Disease nurse who evaluates and teaches about HIV and other infections that, in turn, can harm my reproductive patients. I tip my hat to those nurses working in correctional facilities who have to be mindful of their own safety, yet strive to provide care in a non-judgmental way to those who are cut off from society.

Foremost reward of nursing: Seeing that “light bulb” go off when patients finally grasp what you have been teaching them about their diagnosis or medications. Their eyes light up and you get that warm feeling inside that you have made a difference.

Foremost challenge: Making the identification of health issues but having limited resources. This is the case especially for mental health services.

What it takes to become a good nurse: Determination and a strong desire to hang in there despite the long hours, the pay and sometimes the issues of the world. You must have that passion to be a nurse and not just seek a paying job.

Advice to aspiring nurses: Don’t be afraid to show your emotions and empathy for others. Sometimes having a shoulder to cry on will work more wonders than just passing out a pill.

Men in the nursing field: Play a vital role in nursing because they serve as role models and validate the strong ties of caring to the male gender. Men can and do provide compassion and emotional support as well as their female peers.

How I start the day: With daily Scripture and, with a focus on doing the best that I can with what I have to work with. You can make some great lemonade out of just water and lemons, but alone they might be as tasty.

How I unwind: QVC shopping.

I place top value on: Being fair to everyone.

Best late-night snack: A warm brownie.

Prized possession: An upside-down Christmas tree.

The one thing I can’t stand: A person who is judgmental.

No one knows that I: Cannot swim, which is why my daughter learned as a child and now my 18-month-old grandson is taking classes.

Persons who influenced me the most: My grandmother. She raised me and other family members. She went blind but was one of the most insightful persons I have ever met. She lived to be 97 and her faith got her through many trials of life.

If I had more time, I would: Volunteer more in the community.

Book that influenced me the most: “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou.

What I’m reading now: “The Prayer of Jabez” by Bruce Wilkinson.

My next goal: To spend more time with my family and church. To inspire others to reach out and everyone grab a hand to help someone else.