I am honored to nominate Dawn, a supervisor in the Neuroscience Unit, for the DAISY Award. Dawn has consistently demonstrated an extraordinary level of compassion and dedication to patient care, especially for one particular patient who has been with us for 68 days. This patient is a nonverbal autistic individual whose mother recently passed away, and he has no other family present.

Dawn has gone above and beyond to ensure that this patient feels cared for, loved, and valued during this difficult time. Despite her demanding role as a supervisor and charge nurse, Dawn has decorated his room for every holiday, creating a warm and festive environment that brings him comfort. She also makes time to take him on walks to the children’s atrium, even when she is incredibly busy.

In addition, Dawn brings him toys and clothes, making sure that he has things to enjoy and feel special about. She has shown him so much kindness, and the difference she’s made in his experience on the unit is truly remarkable. Her actions have not only made him feel cared for, but they’ve also been a great comfort to his mother’s memory, as she is no longer here to advocate for his needs.

Dawn’s kindness and dedication to this patient have left an indelible mark on me and the entire unit. She has exemplified the very best of compassionate care, and I am incredibly grateful to have her as a colleague. Dawn is a shining example of what it means to truly make a patient feel seen and valued.

Note: This is Dawn's 2nd DAISY Award!