June 2026 Honoree
Clayton Santillo, BSN, RN
We would like to nominate ICU RN Clayton from Banner University Medical Center Phoenix, Tower 2, Second Floor ICU unit, for a DAISY Award in recognition of the extraordinary compassion, professionalism, and support he provided for our dear S during the final days of her life. After a massive heart attack in early March 2026, S was in the ICU for 2.5 months at 3 different hospitals and went through very challenging procedures, including being intubated and a subsequent tracheostomy. She was strong and determined to get better, but unfortunately, after several health challenges, the medical staff ran out of options.
After hearing from her cardiologist that she was on life support with very slim prospects of recovery, her only viable option being comfort care, S started expressing her desire to let go to the night nurses. Clayton was her day nurse for the last few days and shared this information with us. He compassionately explained that it was common for patients to share this kind of information with their health care providers first, because they fear disappointing their loved ones. When our family faced one of the most difficult experiences imaginable, Clayton became a steady, reassuring presence. He took the time to explain each step of S's end-of-life process and helped us understand what to expect. His ability to communicate such information with honesty, clarity, and kindness made an overwhelming situation more manageable.
What stood out most was the way Clayton cared not only for S, but for all of us. He made sure that S was the chief decision-maker about her future. Meanwhile, he never rushed our questions and always made time to listen to our concerns and hopes. He guided us through an important decision to honor S's decision with patience and compassion, making us feel informed and supported rather than frightened and alone. He helped us all understand the process of how the life support, including heart medication and the ventilator, would be shut down and assured us that S would pass with dignity, free of any pain. He wanted to make sure that we had the time we needed to be with her, to tell her how much we love her, how courageous she was during the last several weeks enduring so much pain and discomfort, and how we support her decision.
Because of his thoughtful guidance, we could focus on what mattered most: being present with S, sharing our love, and assuring her that we will be okay, keeping her love in our hearts forever. During S's most difficult couple of days, when her pain was increasing and she was fading away, Clayton consistently demonstrated exceptional clinical skills while never losing sight of the human side of nursing. He treated S with dignity, respect, and genuine kindness, and he worked tirelessly to ensure her comfort. The impact Clayton had on our lives will never be forgotten. His care extended far beyond medical treatment; he provided comfort, understanding, and guidance when we needed it most. After S passed, he embraced us with tears in his eyes, genuinely feeling our loss. He exemplifies the very best of nursing and is deeply deserving of recognition through the DAISY Award.
After hearing from her cardiologist that she was on life support with very slim prospects of recovery, her only viable option being comfort care, S started expressing her desire to let go to the night nurses. Clayton was her day nurse for the last few days and shared this information with us. He compassionately explained that it was common for patients to share this kind of information with their health care providers first, because they fear disappointing their loved ones. When our family faced one of the most difficult experiences imaginable, Clayton became a steady, reassuring presence. He took the time to explain each step of S's end-of-life process and helped us understand what to expect. His ability to communicate such information with honesty, clarity, and kindness made an overwhelming situation more manageable.
What stood out most was the way Clayton cared not only for S, but for all of us. He made sure that S was the chief decision-maker about her future. Meanwhile, he never rushed our questions and always made time to listen to our concerns and hopes. He guided us through an important decision to honor S's decision with patience and compassion, making us feel informed and supported rather than frightened and alone. He helped us all understand the process of how the life support, including heart medication and the ventilator, would be shut down and assured us that S would pass with dignity, free of any pain. He wanted to make sure that we had the time we needed to be with her, to tell her how much we love her, how courageous she was during the last several weeks enduring so much pain and discomfort, and how we support her decision.
Because of his thoughtful guidance, we could focus on what mattered most: being present with S, sharing our love, and assuring her that we will be okay, keeping her love in our hearts forever. During S's most difficult couple of days, when her pain was increasing and she was fading away, Clayton consistently demonstrated exceptional clinical skills while never losing sight of the human side of nursing. He treated S with dignity, respect, and genuine kindness, and he worked tirelessly to ensure her comfort. The impact Clayton had on our lives will never be forgotten. His care extended far beyond medical treatment; he provided comfort, understanding, and guidance when we needed it most. After S passed, he embraced us with tears in his eyes, genuinely feeling our loss. He exemplifies the very best of nursing and is deeply deserving of recognition through the DAISY Award.
Thank you, Clayton, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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