Nina Pham, a 26-year-old Texas Christian University graduate, has been identified as the health care provider who tested positive for Ebola. She is one of those on staff who cared for Thomas Eric Duncan as he battled the same disease, and succumbed to its ravages last Wednesday.

According to Maria Vultaggio of the International Business Times:

Pham, 26, is a critical care nurse at Texas Health Presbyterian Dallas and one of the 50 people to take care of Duncan before he died last Wednesday. She is currently in stable condition after being isolated since Friday, Yahoo News reported.

Think about that for a minute. This young lady is a nurse whose chief role is to care for those who are critically, and in Thomas Eric Duncan’s case, dangerously ill. I’m sure she along with the 50 other caregivers felt some very human trepidation about coming in contact with Ebola. However, even knowing the dangers and potential consequences, Nina and all the other caregivers provided dedicated compassionate care to Thomas Eric Duncan every step of the way.

Nina, as with all the other caregivers, wore protective gear and followed all protocols prescribed by the hospital and the CDC while caring for Duncan. Interestingly, as reported by Alana Horowitz of the Huffington Post:

Pham is not one of the 48 people whom the CDC had already been monitoring for either direct or indirect contact with Duncan before he was brought to the hospital on Sept. 28. She had been self-monitoring and, upon developing symptoms, came in to the hospital, Frieden said Sunday.

In the meantime, Dallas healthcare officials have stated that they are doing everything they can to ensure Nina Pham receives the care she needs. They are also working to ensure that Bentley, her King Charles spaniel, will be cared for and not euthanized. While it is true that the dog in Spain was euthanized because of concern that it would spread the disease; according to CBS News:

The risk that dogs might spread Ebola is very small in the U.S. or other places where dogs aren’t near corpses or eating infected animals, said Sharon Curtis Granskog, a spokeswoman for the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Jim Douglas and Marjorie Owens of WFAA report:

Father Jim Khoi, who is Pham’s pastor, told News 8 that she has now received a blood transfusion from a “good” and “devoted” man who survived Ebola, but his identity was not given.
Khoi said Pham is in good spirits, using Skype to communicate with her mom, and asking for prayers.

This young lady’s chosen profession is an incredibly honorable, difficult, and a rewarding one. She cares for those who are critically, even terminally ill. She was raised in a devoutly Catholic family with a history of serving the poor and sick, and is described as a “big-hearted, compassionate” person thoroughly dedicated to her career. Nina cared for Thomas Eric Duncan even knowing what the potential consequences may be. She has and is following The Nightingale Pledge: Nursing Ethics Oath:

“I solemnly pledge myself before God and presence of this assembly;
To pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully.
I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug.
I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling.
With loyalty will I endeavor to aid the physician in his work, and devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care.”

Nina has devoted herself to caring for those who are gravely ill. Her bravery, courage, and steadfast commitment to her oath must be applauded.  Let us hope that she wins this battle so that she may continue to bring compassion and care to those who suffer.