NORFOLK, Va. — No ticket, no worries! That’s what Sentara Heart Hospital’s booth queen says to patients as they arrive for their appointments.
“She’s everybody’s ray of sunshine in the morning,” says Nic Santoro, a Navy Aviation Machinist Mate.
For the past five years, Dominique Taylor has greeted people with a smile and a warm welcome as they pass by. As people come and go by her booth, Dominique makes sure to bring them as much joy as she can—whether it’s through a prayer, a song, or even by saving them a prime parking spot.
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Nic Santoro nominated Dominique for a News 3 Everyday Hero award for the impact she had on him when he was a patient at Sentara.
“She just goes above and beyond. And it's fantastic,” said Santoro.
Nic was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. He had surgery in April of 2023 but visited for months afterward for physical therapy and other follow-ups.
He tells me her positivity made him forget about how tough some days could be.
“She was just always that positive voice to get you going," he said. "You might be tired from the new medications and stuff, [but] she was just there to uplift you, almost like a morning cup of coffee,” he said.
Nic says she turns people’s days around with her positive spirit.
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While we were there, many of people stopped us to sing her praises.
“You’re the best, you’re the very first impression we get when we come to the heart hospital,” said Joann Dorrepaal who works at Sentara Heart Hospital’s Cardiac Rehabilitation.
“I don’t do valet just because I want to see Dominique’s smiling face,” said Stephanie Elling, the daughter of a patient.
“I like your greeting every morning!” said Chuck Landry, a Heart Hospital patient.
Because of this and more, we decided to surprise her with a News 3 Everyday Hero Award while she was at work doing what she loves most. The award comes with a $300 Visa gift card from our community partner Southern Bank.
