Lily has a very special connection with all of her patients. She speaks Spanish fluently. She is an excellent teacher and she spends a lot of time explaining things to her Spanish speaking patients so they can understand on their terms. She has a special way of expressing information to her patients so they can understand what is happening to them. She makes things into a story so they can relate to and understand what the medical staff is communicating to the patient. Lily was also an excellent Teacher and Mentor when I took Beginning Spanish II through Common Ground. She was very patient and thorough in helping me with a Spanish translation project.

Lily was on Staff Nurse Council where she developed an SBAR for the Spanish Translators to improve their processes. Lily is also a certified Spanish Translator in the Perioperative area which is extremely helpful especially on the off shifts. Lily worked for a long time on the 9th floor and in Pre Op. She brings a lot of knowledge and talent to the PACU night shift. Lily is very empathetic to her patient's needs.

Lily spent over an hour singing and holding a patient's hand who was developmentally delayed and scared waiting for her surgery. Lily asked the patient what songs she likes and she started singing these songs with the patient. It was very touching to watch Lily interact with her patient. Lily also had a 17 year old prisoner patient that had a lot of pain. The pain meds were not helping. The patient said he would give anything to hear a Spanish song. Lily sang to the patient a Spanish song from Texas. She brought the radio over and sang along to the radio with the patient. The patient forgot about his pain and was smiling and able to relax before his surgery.

Lily normally works Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday. She traded days with another PACU Nurse who is going to school and gave up her schedule to this other Nurse so they could have the days they needed to go to school. Lily worked two 12 hour night shifts before coming to this presentation today. She also flew her Mother and her 2 Sisters here from Texas and brought members of her family that live in Denver to this presentation today. She honored her Mother during the presentation by telling her Mother that this award is for her because her Mother has always supported her throughout school and her Nursing career.

Lily told me the story of taking care of an 85 year old female prisoner patient. The patient was accompanied by 2 guards. The guards said to Lily, "Don't you want to know what she did?" Lily said that it doesn't matter what she did. This 85 year old woman was her patient and she will take care of her with dignity and respect. This story exemplifies Lily's compassion and dedication to all of her patients. Lily personifies what it means to be an exceptional Nurse. She is an outstanding role model and now a DAISY Award Honoree. She has found her true calling and she knows that she is fulfilling her purpose here on earth by being a Nurse.