Unit 4200 deserves this DAISY Team Award. We had a patient who came to us with metastatic breast cancer to the brain. Although the patient appeared appropriate at the beginning and had some family support, as the disease progressed, she became more and more demanding with erratic behavior that ranged from aggression to tears. The family stopped visiting, and in the end, no one wanted to take her home even though it was her wish. As her room was across from my office, I had regular interactions with her and the staff during the several weeks she stayed with us.

I have to admit that it is easy to care for those who are kind and appreciative, but not as much for those who are difficult, loud, abusive at times, and demanding. As the days went by, our patient became our family. One of those family members we all have and interact with during family gatherings or the holidays. However, she was showered with love and treated with kindness and respect. From the Environmental Service staff who cleaned her room more than once a day after “each tornado” with a smile, and accepted her apologies and promises not to do it again, to the food nutrition staff who went out to spoil her and meet her demands.

I saw some of my PCTs taking orders for meals brought from her favorite take-out places. "You know what I am craving Ashley? Popeye's biscuits". When she started to walk around partially undressed, she stated that she was sick of hospital gowns and her clothes were dirty. One of my nurses took it upon herself to get her bright dresses, comfortable shoes, and even fancy pajamas so she could feel more at home. Her laundry was done, she went on multiple walks with a number of us to catch fresh air, and she became well-known on the fourth floor while visiting other units and dancing. She loved to dance, and she loved music, and we celebrated her happy moods as readily as we embraced her tears or re­-directed her anger.

She sat in my office multiple times, just visiting with a cup of coffee. Those interactions allowed me to look at the person past the disease. It reminded me that medicine is just part of the equation, but healing occurs when we treat our patients as a whole, a human being with fears and choices, with needs and wants, with personalities, and a sense of humor. Imperfect like we all are, but deserving of love and empathy.

This is not an isolated occasion. These staff members work with their hearts and do more than most people will ever know. They give it all, often with little appreciation, just because it is the right thing to do. I would like to say that our patient was thankful, gracious, and appreciative. The mass in her brain robbed her of the capacity to be anything but sick. We all took turns being yelled at, called names, and had a variety of items thrown around the room, wiping tears, laughing, and dancing with her. I never witnessed frustration, anger, or anything but compassion and love.

As a leader, this is what keeps me coming back and working hard. It is not the paycheck, the title, or the science. My job is stressful at the best of times, but my cup is constantly full when I walk through these halls, and I see humanity at its best.

I believe 4200 deserves this DAISY Team Award, if nothing else, as a recognition on behalf of those we serve who would never be able to say thank you but who have received so much from them.