Nursing is about more than what happens at the bedside. It can be about the, simple, unexpected moments that happen in between caring for patients.

This is exactly what recent Galen College of Nursing Gainesville, Fla. graduate Leorick Bell experienced while working a clinical rotation at HCA Florida Lake City Hospital in Lake City, Fla. Bell’s work to help a pair of women see their family member in isolation earned him a Flower Bud Award from HCA Healthcare. It’s an honor that generally goes to students for expert clinical skills or critical thinking, but in this case, Bell’s actions caught the eye of nursing leaders at Lake City Hospital.

“That’s just me, that’s the type of person I am, I felt like I was doing what I was supposed to do,” Bell said. “I treated it as if it was my family, if it was my mom, then I would want somebody to help her. So I didn’t really notice that someone saw I helped them. I was just doing me.”

Back in October 2025, Bell happened to be walking down the hall of the Lake City Hospital ICU when he noticed two women who appeared uncertain about instructions posted on a hospital door regarding PPE requirements. Bell stepped in and helped answer the women’s questions, and patiently explained to them what they needed to be able to enter the room and see their loved one. Then, Bell took the next step and helped the women put on protective gowns, gloves, and more, and he educated them on what the requirements meant. Then, he sent the women on their way to see their loved one.

It was a small gesture that made a big impact to the nursing leaders on the floor and in the building.

“What Leo did was incredibly significant because it demonstrated that compassionate care often happens in the small, unscripted moments that matter most to patients and families,” said Lake City Medical Center Chief Nursing Officer Krista Hatley, MSN, RN. “By recognizing confusion, taking the time to explain PPE, and easing the family’s stress, he helped preserve dignity and connection during a very difficult moment.”

Not long after, during Bell’s next clinical rotation in the ICU, he and the whole staff were called to the front desk of the floor. Bell thought it was going to be a standard meeting from leadership. Instead, it was a moment to celebrate him.

“I was surprised that someone noticed and I’m thankful for the award and them noticing what I do,” Bell said. “A lot of times, stuff like that goes unnoticed.”

Nursing isn’t just a career for Bell. It runs in his blood.

Bell’s mother Jocokolyn Graham-Bell is also a nurse, and she introduced Bell to the field. Out of high school, Bell pursued and received his CNA license. It didn’t take long working in a healthcare facility for Bell to feel like he was exactly where he’s meant to be.

“I really didn’t know what (healthcare) was until I stepped into the field,” Bell said. “Once I went into the training and on the floor, I was helping people and making them smile in bad situations. Any time someone has health issues, that’s a bad and scary situation, and any time I can make them smile, I’m doing something right.”

After more than a decade working as a CNA, mental health tech, and then as a Licensed Practical Nurse, Bell was ready to take the next step in his career and enroll in the Galen associates in nursing bridge program in Gainesville. During his Galen tenure, Bell credits Galen Gainesville faculty member Dr. Joanna McLaughlin DNP, APRN, NNP-BC with changing his mindset for test-taking and in caring for patients.

“She told me, ‘what’s the one thing I can do to give (the patient) the best chance of surviving in any situation’,” Bell said. “I feel like that’s going to help me a lot in my career.”

Bell’s compassionate, calming personality was immediately noticed by McLaughlin, who taught him in both the OB/Pediatrics class and the Leadership class.

“Leo is a natural leader in a quiet, steady way. His peers look to him for perspective, especially in moments that require calm and thoughtfulness,” McLaughlin said. “He makes people feel comfortable simply by being present; he is approachable, kind, and grounded. His contributions in the classroom often give voice to ideas others are still forming, and when Leo speaks, people stop and listen.”

It was at Galen that Bell continued to grow as a nursing student, and his compassionate care abilities bloomed by the time he graduated in December 2025. Now, he’s preparing to go right back to where he received this award, the ICU floor at Lake City Hospital, only now as a registered nurse.

“Leo’s actions reflect exactly what we strive to instill in our nursing students,” Galen Gainesville faculty member Shawn Dowdy, MSN, RN, RN-BC said. “While critical thinking and technical accuracy are essential, compassionate care is what patients and families remember most. Helping family members navigate PPE requirements during an emotionally stressful moment shows empathy, situational awareness, and advocacy. Treating others as if they were his own family demonstrates emotional intelligence and professionalism well beyond basic clinical expectations, and the Flower Bud nomination is well deserved.”

“He has what it takes to be in ICU because in the ICU, while the knowledge is very important, the compassion you need to have for your patient is important too,” Galen Gainesville adjunct faculty Patricia Kipper, MSN, RN, said. “You are there in a critical situation and you need someone who cares and can deliver that compassion. He always demonstrated compassion with every patient, but that one in particular caught the attention of everyone. He is a very exceptional person.”

Leo’s example reminds us that nursing is about more than clinical skill—it’s about noticing, stepping in, and making a difference in the moments that matter most. If you’re looking to become a nurse, check out if our PN/VN program, Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program, or 3-year Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing (BSN) program is right for you!