Here is what the wife of patient Donnie G., had to say about Dale: “My husband, Donnie, has been a patient here for four weeks now. The UAMS campus has been dear to my heart always as my oldest son, Kyle, graduated from medical school here a number of years ago. Shortly after arriving, I was in the hallway outside of my husband’s room and overheard a nurse receiving instructions in the harvesting of stem cells. From the wealth of knowledge and ease of delivery, I assumed the male with her had to be a staff doctor. Only later in the day did I learn that the gentleman with her was an RN named Dale Mackey. Several times after this first encounter, I saw Dale in the hallways and still marveled at what I had overheard. Much to my surprise, a few nights later he entered our room and introduced himself as our nurse. He immediately pulled a chair up to Donnie’s bed and began to explain, in the simplest of terms, what the disease involved, what the treatment would be, and all of the possible side-effects we might encounter. To say that we had been scared to death prior to this conversation would be putting it mildly. I wish you could have seen the calm come over Donnie’s face while Dale spoke ever so softly about the journey that still lie ahead for us. When he left the room, I looked at my husband, who looked back into my eyes and said, ‘I don’t think it was an accident that we got him tonight, do you?’ I agreed that there was no way this wasn’t another prayer answered. We spoke of Dale to each of our family members who called to check on us the next day; always expressing our appreciation for the reassurance that was now ours to hold on to. One of our sons, Darren, and his wife, Lisa, were visiting the second evening. As I was walking them to the elevator, I called to their attention that Dale was entering our room. They immediately asked to return with me to meet this gentleman who had made such a lasting impression. They too were impressed with his calm and gentle manner. That same night we learned much of his life story and the journey that brought him to nursing. As the conversation ended Dale remarked, ‘Donnie, God knows where you are.’ I assured him again that this had been a prayerful journey for us already and he asked if we might pray together. We joined hands over the bed as he laid his hand on Donnie’s head and prayed the dearest prayer one might ever wish to hear. He asked God for healing and asked that He leave His guardian angels in this room to protect us; we know they are here. We haven’t seen Dale since that last evening, but have told this story time and time again to family and friends. I think this speaks volumes about the healing of the human body while rallying the human spirit to wage war on the disease that takes a healthy man and renders him bedfast in just a matter of weeks or months. It is our wish as a grateful family, that Dale be considered for special recognition as he truly possesses a gift that is shared freely with all who are blessed to know him.”