By the time she was 10, Liz Bilinski knew that nursing was her calling.

"I just always knew this is what I was meant to do," said Bilinski, who works in the surgical urology/gynecology department at Athens Regional Medical Center. "I love my patients and get very involved with them."

LEITA COWART/Special (ENLARGE)

RELATED LINKS: • Complete list of Nursing Excellence Awards nominees • Celebrating Nurses

She worked as a candy striper when she was in high school and became a licensed practical nurse after graduating. Several years later Bilinski became a registered nurse and then earned her bachelor's degree in nursing.

The 49-year-old nurse has touched the lives of many patients during her 31-year career. For Bilinski, it's just part of the job, but for the family of Billy White, she's a special nurse.

"Mere words do not even begin to accurately describe her," said Joan White, who nominated Bilinski for the award. "Liz has gone beyond the call of duty for our family."

Bilinski cared for White's husband, Billy, for more than three months for what began as a urological diagnosis last year. In addition to working closely with the family as White underwent several procedures, Bilinski helped them maintain a sense of normalcy.

Bilinski arranged for the family to bring Thanksgiving dinner to the hospital so they could celebrate the holiday with other patients. She made sure that the family could watch the Georgia Bulldogs football team in the Sugar Bowl and came in on her day off to watch the game on television with them.

"She often came in before her shift started to check on us, stayed with us when we needed her and comforted us with her expertise," Joan White said. "She has been our angel in some dark times."

Billy White is now back home in Winder, but the family stays in touch with Bilinski. They called recently to sing "Happy Birthday" to her.

"God had a hand in all of this," Joan White said. "And we know that Liz was God's angel. She and all the nurses ... were wonderful."