Holbrook Army Vet Among Finalists For Nurse Hero Award

HOLBROOK, NY — Justin Perez is no ordinary nurse, and he'll be honored for his impressive resume of service at the New York Mets' Nurse Night event at Citi Field later this month.

Perez, of Holbrook, is one of 10 finalists for the Nurse Hero Award from the Mets and Nurse.org. Each finalist will receive two tickets to the game July 27, personalized scrubs and recognition on the field. The winner, to be determined by an online public vote, will throw out the first pitch, according to Nurse.org.

Perez has dedicated his life to helping people, whether it's in the armed services or at the side of a hospital bed.

"Army veteran Justin Perez 'is unlike any other nurse I know,'" his nurse nominator said. "Justin is likely to be deployed overseas sometime this year, and when he returns, he is looking to become a flight nurse to help those in critical care on their way to the hospital."

Justin's biography also adds that he traveled down to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria to work for a few weeks at a relief station — giving out care and helping in whatever way he could.

The Nurse Night at Citifield will also be special to Perez for another reason, he's a huge New York Mets fan. "He also happens to be the biggest Mets fan I have ever met and more than anything I think he deserves to be recognized for his dedication and selflessness on Nurse Night," the nominator said.

Perez wrote in a Facebook post that nursing has been "one of my biggest passions" of his life, and that he was "honored to be a finalist."