And those two feet spend most of their time coordinating the activities of patients and health care staff in the Burn Treatment Unit at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

At 38, Wytch (born She-Leiyas and nicknamed by her grandmother for her rosy cheeks) is a nursing unit clerk. She handles calls from incoming patients and health care staff as well as coordinates admissions and paperwork. In many cases, she's the first and last person patients encounter.

"When I come through these doors every day," says Wytch, who has worked in the burn unit off and on since 1986, "it's really a reality check. Regardless of what is happening, you have to be grateful for your life. I don't know if I could handle being on the other side of this. So I need to make a difference for these patients and families."

Jackie Heinle, burn unit nurse manager, says Wytch has a huge heart and tries to get to know each patient's needs. "The thing about Peaches is that you know you can walk arm in arm down the hall with her and know you're going to get good things done."

It's this commitment that has earned her eight Above & Beyond awards for devotion to service at UI Hospitals and Clinics. Her nominations run the gamut, from crocheting a blanket for a sick little girl who left hers at home (she's since given one to every child who comes on the unit) to assisting with data collection for patient research. She's also known for coming in early each week to the outpatient clinic to familiarize herself with patients' situations and enter their names in a database to expedite their care.

Staff members say it's little things like this that can make a difference in the burn unit. The health care professionals in the 16-bed intermediate care unit treat pediatric and adult patients with electrical, chemical, thermal, scalding, frostbite, and inhalation injuries.

"It sounds strange, but I enjoy the excitement of the admission," the Montgomery, Alabama, native says. "When we get a call that a burn victim is on the way, there is a lot of coordination involving the whole team. It's automatic. We all know what to do. There are just some amazing people working here, and I'm glad to be part of it."

Much like an air traffic controller, She-Leiyas "Peaches" Wytch keeps things moving in the Burn Unit.