Fran Schaaf exemplifies the high standards achieved on a daily basis in the SICU. Aside from her strong professionalism and exceptional critical care skills, she consistently demonstrates kind and compassionate care to all of her patients. The reason for this DAISY nomination has to do with an exceptional thing she did for one of her patients.

Fran was caring for a very sick transplant patient with complications from ARDS and sepsis. The patient's husband came in to see his wife and was very tearful and afraid to enter his wife's room. After much explanation, teaching and emotional support he was able to walk in and hold his wife's hand. I heard him thank Fran for her kindness and understanding. He told Fran that his wife likes it when he holds her hand. Then he told Fran that he had never seen his wife without her hair colored and didn't realize how grey her hair had really become.

This patient did finally receive her transplant after weeks of being on our unit and was still very weak even after her surgery. The next day, Fran had a new nurse she was orienting to our unit and discussed with her what the patient's husband said. Fran and her orientee brought in hair color and dyed the patient's hair themselves the very next day. When the husband came back in later that day, he started to cry and said, "I have my sweetheart back". His wife had the biggest smile on her face as well. This scene was very emotional.

The respect and caring Fran showed her patient and husband goes above and beyond.