"It gives me great pleasure to nominate Virginia Weatherman for the DAISY Award. I am a physician on staff, however, on the morning of January 17, 2013, I assumed a role as the family of an inpatient. Unfortunately, my mother was admitted through the emergency department in cardiogenic shock. She underwent emergent coronary angioplasty, stent placement and placement of the IMPELLA ventricular assist device. She was transferred to CCU for continued care.

As one can imagine, she was endotracheally intubated on a ventilator requiring multiple drips including inotropic pressors, anticoagulation, bicarbonate IV fluids, insulin, propofol sedation, etc. These drips required careful titration, sometimes on a minute to minute basis. Virginia was right on target every step of the way demonstrating superior intelligence in her calculations and manipulation of the drips, ventilator setting changes and the hemodynamics of the IMPELLA. It takes academic excellence to be able to competently and successful manipulate drips and mechanical devices but, she knew exactly when to call the treating physicians with updates and questions. Despite my mother's critical condition, Virginia remained calm and collected, which also helped to alleviate our anxiety.

Virginia was very kind to my mother. Despite my mother being sedated on a ventilator, Virginia was careful to explain all procedures and talk to her with a compassionate voice prior to any dressing changes, phlebotomy, X-rays, etc. I was impressed that she was able to update me in the doctor-speak language, yet, relay the same information to my family using layman terminology.

I remember laying in the recliner at my mother's bedside during our 24 hour CCU vigil. From sheer exhaustion, I developed a splitting headache and chills. Virginia tapped me on the shoulder and I looked up and saw her smiling face. She had brought me two Tylenol from her personal supply, a cup of water and a heated blanket!! How sensitive of her to recognize my needs!

As a practicing Internist over the last 20 years, I have been with many patients and their families helping them make difficult end of life decisions. Now I can say that I truly understand the emotional pain and sorrow that one feels in making these important decisions. I began to second guess my decision regarding my mother's resuscitation status. Virginia quickly sat down and went over all the objective clinical data, thus, validating my decision and alleviating my internal consternation, I will never forget how she held my hand during this painful journey.

Virginia deserves recognition for her academic excellence, her compassionate bedside manner and her sensitivity to the needs of the patient and the family. But, most of all, her humility, her professionalism, and her inner spirit are virtues that make her stand out as a dedicated nurse and a role model for her peers including us physicians.