FLEMING ISLAND – Her co-workers said what makes Thais Serafin De Silveira Alves such a special nurse can’t be learned in a classroom. Putting people back together at Kindred Hospital North Florida not only requires science and knowledge, but De Silveira Alves adds a third level of physical therapy.

“I don't think nursing is something that you just do,” she said. “It's just not about illness or treatment. It’s about helping people, advocating for the patients, educating families. We help people during the worst time of their life. Sometimes they don't think they're going to recover. They don't know how the future's going to be. We are there for them.”

Her work was recognized by readers who submitted their votes during September's IKO Clay Hill Hometown Heroes Award for healthcare. De Silveira Alves received the monthly award and a $100 gift card on Friday, Oct. 30, at the Clay Today office.

Fellow medical personnel at Kindred lauded De Silveira Alves’ compassion and dedication. She preferred to say healthcare “is not a one-person job,” and that she simply represents a group of professionals dedicated to mending people.

“Sometimes we’re not necessarily treating illness,” she said. “We’re treating people.”

She recalled a man who suffered a second stroke. He went to Kindred filled with anxiety and fear.

“He was so scared,” she said. “I thought he needed somebody to listen. He needed hope. He needed encouragement, so I sat with him one night. We need to show them we’re there for them, and we’re going to do our best to get them through this, get their independence back and regain confidence.

“They need confidence, not pity. You want to talk straight to them. Sometimes, goodness, I get emotional, because we work with a lot of respiratory failure patients who are on ventilation. They’re not able to read on their own. Sometimes they have to learn to breathe again, how to swallow, all of that.”

De Silveira Alves came from Brazil because, “I chose nursing because I wanted to make a meaningful difference in someone's life. I think that's what I do. That's the purpose of my job, my career. That's rewarding. That's why I still show up every day, because I know I'm going to make a difference.”

Names of area First Responders have been submitted for the October Hometown Hero award.