In a quiet operating room, a family stood watch at a bedside, waiting for the unthinkable to happen — the death of a beloved son, a brother, a nephew. This young man was listed on the Wisconsin Donor Registry, and the family was honoring his wish to be an organ donor. At their side was registered nurse Connie Denk-DeMoe. Her job is to make sure the operating room is ready and that the Organ Procurement Organization has everything it needs in rare cases of donation after cardiac death. Connie Denk-DeMoe "continually goes above and beyond in every encounter that I have had with her," writes registered nurse Kelly Buchholtz, co-chair of the Gift of Life Donation Committee, in nominating Connie for the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. "Connie took the extra steps to ensure the environment in the OR was as comfortable as possible for this family who knew their son would be dying this night," Buchholtz writes. "She did what I have always seen her do — provide support and comfort for this family. She could have easily stood back away from the family, but rather took time to ensure they were being taken care of while they watched their loved one die." Connie recalls sitting down with the family who was eager to tell her about their loved one. "It was wonderful to be a part of that even though there was a lot of sadness. It was so generous of the family to do this." The DAISY Award took Connie by surprise. "I'm just a small part of this," she says of the GOLD Committee that responds to organ donation cases. But Buchholtz praises Connie's compassionate care. "Connie is a true role model for others. She put the needs of this patient and his family first." Mayo Clinic Health System is among more than 1200 healthcare organizations committed to The DAISY Award program. "It's important that our nurses know their work is highly valued, and The DAISY Foundation provides a way for us to do that," says Lynn Frank, chief nursing officer and vice president at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire.