It is with great pleasure that I nominate Allison Kelly for the DAISY Award. After 3 days in ICU following open heart surgery, I was sent to the 6th floor at 2:30 on a Monday afternoon. At 7:15 the next morning Allison Kelly was there to greet me with a smile and an "I care" attitude. We only spent that day together, but her compassion and competence were immediately evident. I had had a rather uncomfortable night and Allison’s demeanor instantly put me at ease. She was easy to talk to, checked in frequently, and made me feel safe, honored, and respected.

Allison earnestly listened to my concerns and addressed them. For example, I had purchased several surgical bras and showed them to her, unsure if they were appropriate. She returned with a Velcro front closing bra and helped me into it. I had no idea the hospital would provide this for me! Allison’s lengthy, explicit instructions for home care and the amount of time she spent answering my questions and reassuring me of my own competence, instilled self-confidence in my own abilities for a successful recovery at home.

I had experienced a rather upsetting episode the night before when a large pill became lodged in my throat blocking my airway. When Allison brought me the same pill the next day, I was on high alert. She handled the situation logically and compassionately and made me feel safe and understood. Allison’s combination of professionalism, wisdom, and compassion appeared to come naturally to her. Her passion for her profession was obvious. She loves what she does and her competence and caring heart shine through to her patients. Just as a DAISY stands out in a field of grass, Allison is a standout in her professional field!