I have had the pleasure to observe Julie more closely in her patient interactions since becoming her manager. I have always known Julie to receive many complements from her patients and WOW cards from her co-workers. This week, I was especially touched to see her compassion and caring spirit shine through as she interacted with a new mother with a cocaine addiction and her new baby (who tested positive for cocaine). Julie never spoke a harsh word of judgment on the new mother. She consistently interacted with the mother using her big smile and bubbly personality in every encounter. I observed Julie treating the mother with such kindness, warmth, dignity and respect that I had to wonder what the mom’s life would be like if she was shown this everyday.

From the first day I rounded on the new mother, she mentioned “Miss Julie” by name. She felt that “Miss Julie” went out of her way to show her care and concern and to keep her informed of her baby’s condition. On her day of discharge the mother wrote a “special thank you to Miss Julie for taking such good care of baby Jewel.” I escorted the mother out on the day of discharge and received a big hug for all the kindness our staff showed her, especially “Miss Julie”.

Julie’s actions are not heroic as many DAISY selections are but she represents the DAISY Foundation mission to “Celebration the Compassion and Care of Extraordinary Nurses.” Julie does this everyday with every patient she cares for.