Compassion and competency go hand-in-hand for BMC’s DAISY Award Honoree, Annie LaCasse, RN from the MICU. While caring for a critically ill patient overnight, Annie made sure to support his wife in any way she could while still delivering the best care. She truly made an impact on this family by being willing to coordinate with another unit for information on policies and procedures. Read the touching nomination below:

“My husband had a stroke and was in the ICU. Annie was our nurse for two nights, and she was caring and compassionate towards my husband and me. Annie treated my husband with kindness and gave him a bath every night. Even though he was sedated, she talked to him and explained everything she was doing- she treated him like a human, and it made me feel like she cared about him as a human and not a job. She updated me on everything happening. She let me feel all the hope I wanted, but she also made sure I knew what was realistic and why things were happening. Unfortunately, during my husband's stay, my child ended up in the PICU sick as well. Annie reached out to the charge nurse in the children's ED to clarify policies for me and offered me emotional support and a shoulder to cry on. She even brought me breakfast to help make sure I was taking care of myself. It is clear that Annie sees nursing as a calling, not a job. I felt like my family was loved and in the best hands.”

Annie, thank you for the compassionate care you showed to both your patient and this entire family. Handling one family member in the hospital is hard enough, but to also have a child admitted at the same time must have felt so overwhelming, and you made this care partner’s time here that much more manageable.