It has been a few months now since my son was discharged. Our lives are getting back to normal, but I am emotional as I write this. My gratitude has not faded, and I feel compelled to take a minute and nominate Ephraim for the DAISY Award, as he was a bright spot in a very stressful time.  My son, J, was admitted to Carrie Tingley from the pediatric ED. He had osteomyelitis and come to find out later also septic arthritis in his right foot. He was in an incredible amount of pain and there had been a long clinical course leading up to his admission. We were both exhausted.

Ephraim was J's nurse for the first overnight we were admitted to Carrie Tingley. He was superbly competent, attentive, and compassionate. Ephraim's energy and advocacy allowed my son to feel comfortable asking for help when he was hurting (which he was previously hesitant to do) and put this mama's worried heart at ease. 

As an Emergency Medicine physician, I am used to caring for people on some of their worst days. I was now on the other side, and this was a pretty bad day. It is surprisingly difficult to put into words how much it meant to have Ephraim there on the first night. He was so prompt to help with whatever my son needed and even did so without being asked. We never saw Ephraim again after that first night despite a week in the hospital and then a second admission. I never got a chance to thank him, but I will never forget the care and comfort Ephraim provided my son and, by extension, me. He is a shining example within his profession, and what he does matters so much to those he cares for.