What I am about to write I am compelled because of the overwhelming great impression I have of the care and attention I received during my most recent visit to Advent Hospital in Celebration, Florida. I am a 75-year-old Former prosecutor who was admitted with a trifecta of ailments: cardiac coupled with hypertension, small cell and squamous cell carcinoma, and pulmonary fibrosis complicated by a weak immune system. I had been to hospitals before, but the level of care service I received at this time was remarkably beyond compare.

The Neighborhood G team that I remember actively took care of me. Besides Annie Martin, Melissa, during the day shift, Patient Care Technician Gabriela, nurse leader Michelle, and a very fine gentleman, Angel, on my last day. Anna, technician Al, technician Daisy, Gabby, Patricia, Nurse leaders Michelle, Lydia, Flora, and Jasmine all took care of me at different times.

I want to equally give Annie and Melissa a special compliment because of the very obvious qualities they demonstrated as professionals. Both excelled in the canons of professionalism far and beyond your exemplary standard of patient care, “seeking to positively influence all aspects of patient’s life ~ mind, body, and spirit. You may not look far for role models. Their humanity and kindness stood out, and that makes your hospital a beacon for all to emulate.

I was struck however during the eve of my discharge when I had my most difficult time when unknowingly I was pouring out my frustration over my illness inadvertently casting nurse Annie as my soundboard, I was not on my great state of mind with frustration. She was taking care of me and at the same time listening. When she seemed finished with her chore, I found extreme comfort when she told me that, given my condition, despair would be my worst enemy, and she said that all things must pass. It gave me pause and ponder that, indeed, as a Christian, it is a contradiction in terms if I continue to feel hopeless when commanded to hope, and it took a simple and humble petite dedicated nurse named Annie Martin to feel I just found my version of St. Paul’s Road to Damascus.

It was the most enlightening remark that I know they don’t teach in nursing school, but it demonstrates nurse Annie’s depth of character as a person and natural and outstanding understanding of her role as a professional nurse, giving patients all that is required by body, mind, and spirit. Every nursing professional can learn from Nurse Annie. It was a great example of compassionate care consistently demonstrated with excellence by this team and the influence it renders on others.

She had no clue whatsoever about the impact of her words but I couldn’t sleep until I was able to compose in my mind what I have to write to you about such comforting wisdom from a simple shift nurse. She had offered great succor to an old man with an array of assorted illness.

I am proud to nominate this team and Annie Martin for the honor of receiving your coveted DAISY Award. They have demonstrated that “patient maximum health and wellness” is not just borne of philosophy but an innate understanding of humanity that screams and begs for kindness. Theirs stood out like an oasis that brings all the joys and hopes worthy of one who calls oneself a Christian. Your goal to “demonstrate excellence through clinical expertise and extraordinary compassionate care” was made manifest by their dedication to patients’ well-being… ”both mind, body, and spirit”.

I hope that this Team gets its due recognition and a special appreciation for nurse Annie Martin. They all deserve such honor intended to serve the great memory of J. Patrick Barnes and his family, who invite not just your unbroken dedication to compassionate care but also your time-honored desire to inspire and spread the Patrick’s Foundation vision to create a “super-human” work ethic.