We had a patient who became a resident on our floor for four and a half months. This patient was admitted Christmas Eve and, over the course of those four plus months, became a fixture of our unit. He had the mentality of a toddler and as such, was known for throwing temper tantrums, among other inanimate objects at staff members when a situation became too overwhelming. Fortunately, Cindy Lavalliere, RN and CM, took a special interest in him and they quickly built a trusting and long lasting friendship.

When he became overwhelmed and tried to leave the unit, he would immediately go to Cindy's office and sit outside the door and watch her work. Just her presence calmed him when no others would. Over the months, most staff members became acclimated to his "language" and Cindy was no different. She was able to decipher his love of dogs and, in an act above and beyond her duties, brought her own dog into the hospital one weekend to play with him. My next time working, he met me halfway down the hallway and was so excited to show me a picture taken of him with Cindy's dog. He was literally beaming with joy and excitement.

Being on our unit for so long, he quickly ran out of clothes and did not appreciate hospital gowns. Cindy, among others, made several Goodwill runs and brought him multiple new outfits, including a dashing suit. He wore this suit with pride for over a week. When his clothes became soiled, Cindy took them home to wash them.

As with his love for dogs, it was well known that he loved country music, especially Garth Brooks. Because of this love, Cindy was gracious enough to buy him his very own cowboy hat, which he rarely removed.

When it came time for him to leave us, Cindy was right by his side, wishing him well at his new home. She even went so far as to drive to another county with her dogs to visit him in his new surroundings and make sure he acclimated well. She continues to call and speak to him on the phone and visit to this day, giving us updates on his progress.

Cindy personifies the characteristics of a DAISY nurse. Not only does she have the clinical skills necessary to provide quality care to her patients, she goes above and beyond the call of duty in making her patient's feel like a member of her own family.

I know for a fact that this patient's life was changed for the better from meeting Cindy, and it gave our floor an example of how far acts of kindness can really go.