Alyssa was our assigned nurse when my husband and I came in to deliver our baby just a little over a week ago. My husband had gone through this process twice before with my bonus daughters, but this was my first time. Naturally, I was anxious about what the day would bring, what the experience would be like, and who was going to be a part of it. From the moment Alyssa introduced herself to us, she proved to be one of the kindest, most compassionate people we have ever encountered. From the start of the day (7 am when we arrived), Alyssa explained all of the forms and all of what we could expect that day. She reviewed what medications and vaccinations would be given to our baby with our consent. She helped us easily understand so we could settle into our room and begin the waiting game of labor and delivery. One of Silver Cross’ listed Seven Behaviors is to “always give an explanation of processes” — not only did Alyssa clearly explain every step of the day as it came, but she also answered every single one of our questions. She spent time with us and went beyond simple answers — she delved into the medical explanations and did so in a way that helped two non-medical professionals understand. She talked to us in a way that made us feel like I was more than just her patient, all while maintaining professionalism. For a first-time mother, that type of support and reassurance is invaluable. Silver Cross also has specific core values and behaviors that they expect their staff to uphold. Alyssa stands out in the area of Excellence, one of the main core values. The quality of care provided during her time with us was beyond what I could’ve expected. Two prime examples of this level of Excellence in care were during the most challenging parts of the day. When it was time to receive the epidural, my husband needed to leave the room due to it being a sterile environment for an injection. I had only learned that day that an epidural was given through a port that would remain in my back. That, in conjunction with the thought of a needle entering my spine, scared me. Alyssa handed me a pillow and alternated between bracing my shoulders, so I was in the correct position to receive the injection and wiping tears from my face. She gave me words of encouragement, and together, I got through it. The other example came later on in the day. Unfortunately, despite being given an epidural, unbeknownst to anyone, the port had become disconnected, I was no longer receiving pain relief, and I began to feel my contractions. To say this was the most intense and terrible pain I’ve experienced in my life would be an understatement. Alyssa acted quickly to get an additional dosage of the epidural delivered to me. However, since the port was disconnected, this did not change my condition, and I continued to experience contractions at a higher frequency. Alyssa called for another look at my epidural dosage and port and then held my hand while we waited. Looking back, I would describe myself as inconsolable during that experience, but even so, she stood right next to me, along with my husband, and kept reassuring me that I would get through it. She spoke to the anesthesiologists on my behalf when I was in too much pain to explain what was going on. Upon recognizing the port was disconnected, I was finally given a second epidural, which Alyssa once again supported me through. Nurses are usually expected to be the ones who provide compassion and care through their treatment. They are the ones patients look to for reassurance and clarity. If I had to go back and relive that day, I would pick Alyssa to be our nurse all over again. Any woman who enters the labor and delivery unit under her care has no way of knowing just how lucky they are. Alyssa’s shift had ended a few hours before our baby decided to make her arrival, but the very next morning, she visited us in the postpartum unit to see how we were and to meet our daughter. It was so touching that she was that invested in us, and even though I’d like to believe she did all of what she did just for us, I know that this is simply who Alyssa is as a nurse and as a person. For all of the aforementioned reasons, I believe she deserves the DAISY Award.