With support from The Helen K. Persson Nursing Education Fund at Palm Health Foundation, Dercas Caneus is becoming the compassionate nurse she always aspired to be. Dercas loved science as a little girl and is now living her dream to leave a meaningful legacy that benefits the world through nursing. As a child of Haitian immigrant parents, she saw the impact that nursing can have on her community by breaking down cultural barriers within healthcare. From the beginning of her nursing career as an orthopedic nurse assistant, she experienced how compassion and companionship can start the healing process. And as she gained experience in a hospital setting, she sought to comfort families during a loved one’s last moments, and to share the joy in a patient’s recovery. Through it all, she has valued the art of connecting with people, something that will be so important when she becomes a critical care nurse after completing her education.