I was born and raised in a very small rural Maine community. I have been an RN for 42 years. When I graduated Nursing School, I began my career in the same Hospital where my father became infected with MRSA. I worked mostly in Emergency rooms and other outpatient settings for many years. I was also a nurse leader who organized the professional staff of a small Maine Hospital. We succeeded in forming the first Maine All professional union in 1983. Patient Safety and nursing shortages, short staffing and overwork are directly linked to Patient Safety and that was a big part of our gripe when organizing. Since my retirement, I have been an active volunteer in immunization clinics, the Ronald McDonald House, and in other settings. My ultimate and most effective volunteerism has been in Patient Safety. Since 2009, I have been involved in Patient Safety on the local, State and Federal level. I worked on MRSA prevention with Hospital representatives from all over the State at the Maine Quality Forum. I have attended periodic meetings with the Federal Department of Health and Human Services and CDC to promote prevention of Hospital Acquired Infections with focus on MRSA prevention. MRSA is the most prevalent Hospital Acquired infection and community acquired infection. I have spoken before many audiences regarding my father's story. Continuing to share my personal and professional experiences to improve patient safety is my ambition. I hope to have an impact on Patient Safety in my State and the entire country.