Benjamin Obando
September 2024
Benjamin
Obando
,
BSN, RN
Cardiac Progressive Care Unit
University of Maryland Medical Center Downtown Campus
Baltimore
,
MD
United States

 

 

 

. He is genuine and cares deeply for his patients. He has comforted me through many emotional breakdowns.
I am an LVAD patient with multiple medical conditions (heart failure, type 1 diabetes, gastropareses, neuropathy, retinopathy, depression, and anxiety). Since March 2023, I have had at least 20 plus admissions to the cardiology unit on the 3rd floor and I have met many wonderful nurses. However, Ben Obando is an extraordinary standout nurse who goes above and beyond in so many ways at all times. I’ll be the first to admit that I can be quite needy and annoying while sick in the hospital. Despite this, over time, I have come to know Ben personally, and it is comforting to know that I will be assigned to him when I arrive—he knows me and my history. We joke that I should have a bed on reserve. Ben is a professional and incredibly intelligent. He always knows the answer and is willing to share his knowledge by teaching me about anything related to my illnesses (including his illustrations on the whiteboard). He is genuine and cares deeply for his patients. He has comforted me through many emotional breakdowns. We have had serious conversations and hilarious banter. He is funny—and that’s nice on bad days. Even when Ben is assigned to multiple patients, he makes me feel like I am the only one. He is always available and on time with scheduled medications, and he will listen if you need to talk. If Ben is not assigned to me, he will stop by at the end of his shift just to say hello. It is my honor to nominate Ben Obando for the DAISY Award. UMMC is lucky to have an amazing nurse like Ben.