DAISY Award

I was admitted into your hospital for lumbar spine fusion surgery. By no means was this an easy surgery, I was on the table for 7.5 hours and the post-op recovery was by no means a snap [Ouch! Bad choice of words]. I was literally helpless to do anything on behalf of my body. I was in rather excruciating pain and for the most part, I was a mess. Your nursing staff was a total blessing and a very integral part of my future recovery. I have had many operations over my 68 years. Some in a battlefield  hospital, but most in stateside facilities. I know a good nursing staff when I see one. However your folks were beyond good...they were exceptional!

Specifically, Yan Wang, Roxanne Basilio Valdez and Ayda Garrovillas were so very attentive to my needs, sympathetic to my discomfort and pain and in one case, life-saving, in his round the clock surveillance of my condition. It was late one evening [as I recall] and because of the high medications and the addition of Morphine, that I went into some sort of shock state and my blood pressure dropped to 70/40. I, of course, was oblivious as I slipped off into that nether-world of life/death. But as I have been told by others, Yan Wang immediately came to my bedside and was clear headed enough to realize that this was not a good thing. I was told later by the on-staff Resident Physician that Yan's actions, to infuse me with, liquids and do some other things which I don't recall, actually saved my life. What can I say, what can I offer to you which would begin to show my gratitude for his actions? The smiles I will share with my grandkids?

The love I continue to share with my wife? All these precious thoughts of the future could have vanished were it not for the actions of Yan Wang. I am forever in his debt. And all the other nurses mentioned above, may not have had to react to a crisis as Yan did, but I would have the same faith in the end result should that have been their experience on shift with me.  

You have many employees and oftentimes the "operation" takes precedence over slowing down a bit and recognizing that people make the hospital what it is. On whatever level, from surgeon to floor sweeper, everybody plays a part in the final outcome. And proper recognition should surely come to those that are worthy. These in-hospital nurses I named above are beyond worthy and I pray you will share the praise with them. They work very, very hard, in difficult conditions and they rise to the top every time! I will not forget them.

About the DAISY Award

The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses recognizes outstanding members of the nursing community and the very special work they do every day. It was established by the DAISY Foundation in memory of the extraordinary nursing J. Patrick Barnes received when he was hospitalized. (DAISY is an acronym for diseases attacking the immune system.) This nursing recognition award program offers patients, families, and professional colleagues a way to honor nurses for all they do. The DAISY awardees consistently demonstrate excellence through their clinical expertise and extraordinary compassionate care.