I am a firm believer that excellence should always be acknowledged. During my time practicing as an internal medicine physician, I have come to appreciate the critical role of teamwork in delivering high-value care, with nurses forming the backbone of this collaborative approach. During a particularly busy inpatient service, I had the privilege of working alongside Lauren in the care of many other patients. I consistently see her go above and beyond, with patients and their families voicing sentiments of high praise, gratitude, and respect expressed by her patients and their families.

One particular example was while caring for a 60-year-old woman who had been admitted following a heart attack. Our patient's medical journey was challenging, as she faced not only complex medical issues but also housing insecurities and other social determinants that impacted her recovery. Due to her multiple comorbidities, managing her pain required a carefully tailored regimen with frequent adjustments, requiring constant monitoring and compassionate engagement. During a busy inpatient service, it can be easy to lose sight of the humanistic side of medicine amid the demands of clinical care. Lauren consistently shows up and demonstrates commitment to delivering compassionate care to her patients. Recognizing that our patient was unable to lift her arms due to prior injuries, she took the time to help with daily tasks like washing and brushing her hair - small but profoundly meaningful gestures that brought dignity and comfort to the patient during a difficult time.

The impact of these gestures was clear in the patient’s and family’s words: "I really appreciate Lauren. She has been the best nurse we have had during our hospital stay." Lauren is truly the epitome of what the DAISY Award stands for. Her commitment to providing exceptional, patient-centered care, her ability to connect with patients and families, and her unwavering support for her colleagues make her a role model and an invaluable asset to not only her patients but also those she works with.

In addition to her dedicated patient care, Lauren has taken on the responsibility of helping to train new nurses entering the healthcare field, instilling these same values of compassion and excellence in the next generation. Lauren is a DAISY Nurse not only for her own outstanding contributions but for the positive impact she is creating for the future of nursing.

Keep being great, Lauren.