Gloria is the nephrology nurse in charge of the unit—and keeps it running like a finely tuned engine. Many of the patients refer to her as “the boss.” Both staff and patients know that she is in charge—and heed closely to what she has to say. Yet despite her commanding presence, the patients and the staff have a deep affection for her because they know that she cares for them all.

Gloria, 43, is very much a practical, pragmatic person: organized, task-oriented, a stickler for maintaining schedules.

Although she can at times be gruff, at heart she is truly a “people person,” which is the reason she entered the nursing profession. She started her career working in a hospital in the intensive care unit. But she was dissatisfied with this position because she was unable to really get to know the patients due to the high turnover. Through a friend, she took a job in the dialysis unit at the hospital and immediately loved it. In 1996 she accepted a position at the Hope Street Dialysis Center and has been there happily ever since.

“Working with people on dialysis is so rewarding,” she remarks, “because it gives you the opportunity to see people at their most courageous.”

Gloria is married to Rojelio, a high school Math teacher, and has three children, all teenagers. Around the house Gloria is also known as “the boss”–just ask her family!

Meet the rest of the characters of Hope Street.