I would like to nominate Crystal Melroy for the Daisy Award. Crystal has always shown professionalism and skill when I work with her. On one particular night however, I was blown away by her compassionate and care for a family facing the most difficult life changing time in their lives.

We had a patient on the floor that had gone into preterm labor and it was probable that she would deliver on our shift a non viable baby. It was a situation no one would ever want to be in and we all felt the overwhelming emotional distress this family was going through. Without hesitation, Crystal assumed care of the patient and family and gave the highest quality of care you or I would want for family or loved ones. Her compassion was amazing as she cared for the mother and family in their desperate time of mourning and loss. As a charge nurse that night, I felt like Crystal not only stepped up to meet the needs of the unit but she gave everything she had to comfort and care for this family. The family bonded with Crystal immediately. The mother looked to Crystal for comfort and for information involving the process of her loss. Crystal was amazing, she held her hand and cried with her and demonstrated the skill and expertise to care for a family that was losing their baby.

Crystal is often very quiet and reserved but I have seen her skill and compassion as a nurse in action. The doctors trust her, staff look at her for advice and help, and I rely on her for leadership and skill on our unit. Her care during these extreme emotional circumstances was exactly what I think the Daisy Award stands for.