Jody Lester, MSN, RN, Director of Nursing Excellence, Thomas Rounds, BSN, RN, Nurse Director of the Emergency Department, and Stacy Oxley, BA, RN, CEN, SANE-A, Nurse Manager of the Emergency Department proudly awarded Bastian Fagginger-Auer, BA, RN, CEN of the Emergency Department with the DAISY Award. Bastian was surprised by his family and co-workers with this recognition at the Nursing Annual meeting.

In attendance were his nominator, Helen, and her family. Helen felt Bastian went above and beyond by not only keeping her clinically safe during this critical time in her life, but also kept her family informed and aware of her plan of care. What struck Helen the most about the care Bastian provided her, was how he followed up on her during her hospital stay and on a subsequent visit which made her feel like she was in good hands. Bastian clearly demonstrated "Every Patient is My Patient ~ Always".

According to Helen, Bastian, took the time to explain and assess the medical situation that changed rapidly upon her arrival to the Emergency Department. Bastian applied his clinical expertise and communication skills to ensure that Helen received seamless care as she was transferred from the Emergency Department to the Intensive Care Unit; coordinating care with the medical physicians, surgeons, nurses, and keeping her family informed.

Bastian was honored by this nomination and accepted his award graciously. In response to this grand award, Bastian wrote this nice letter to his peers:

"I wanted to thank everyone for the support and congratulations. In a moment of clarity this morning, I looked upon my vase of flowers and carving and noted two very important things. What I saw was a group of daisies, different shapes, sizes and colors. The figures are featureless, grasping and supporting a slightly smaller figure, no discernible features that would separate one person from another. This award is for all of us, each as worthy as the next. I see all of my peers, and in extension all nurses, as one daisy among many, working together to form a beautiful and bright bouquet that brightens the lives of those that we touch. As medical providers, the figures that wander in and out of our patients' lives, we linger and care for them for such a brief time, but make life changing actions appear routine and normal. I cannot stress how much of what we do is NOT normal. We have acclimatized ourselves to make the heroic routine, the life changing moments in our patients' lives, just simply what we do.

Please know that I am humbled and thankful for this award, but I realize and embrace that I am but a single flower among a beautiful bouquet, and I thank everyone for everything that I have learned and continue to learn from you all."