December 2025 Honoree
Daniel Shotwell, RN
As an 18-year-old, I often feel dismissed in healthcare settings. I am technically an adult, but I am young, can easily become overwhelmed, and have had many experiences where my concerns were not taken seriously, especially when my mom was with me.
My mom is a nurse, so I have grown up around healthcare and have seen what exceptional nursing care looks like. This nurse stood out immediately.
From the very beginning, he spoke directly to me, listened carefully, and treated me with respect. Even with my mom at the bedside, he made sure I was included in conversations and decisions about my care. I never felt talked over, rushed, or brushed aside.
He also took the time to talk with my mom and understand what was going on in our situation. He was not intimidated by the fact that she is a nurse, nor did he assume we already knew everything. Instead, he explained things clearly, answered our questions without judgment, and treated us like regular people—not like a checklist or a challenge.
What meant the most to me was the way he advocated for my care. When questions or concerns arose, he took the initiative to clarify orders with the provider rather than simply moving on. That showed me he was truly paying attention and prioritizing both my safety and my understanding.
His care was gentle, thoughtful, and went beyond simply following orders. He used holistic nursing interventions to help me feel more comfortable and checked on me often without ever making excuses or mentioning how busy he was. Even though I knew he had other patients, he made me feel like I mattered.
Before he left for the day, he wished my mom good luck on her NP boards. That small moment meant a great deal to me. It showed that he truly paid attention to us as people, not just as a patient and a visitor.
I could tell this was not something he did only for us. Watching how he interacted with others, it was clear that he treated every patient like a VIP. I even heard another patient tell him how cool he was as a nurse.
Because of Daniel, I felt safe, respected, and genuinely cared for during a stressful experience. He represents everything nursing should be, and he is exactly the kind of nurse the DAISY Award was created to recognize.
My mom is a nurse, so I have grown up around healthcare and have seen what exceptional nursing care looks like. This nurse stood out immediately.
From the very beginning, he spoke directly to me, listened carefully, and treated me with respect. Even with my mom at the bedside, he made sure I was included in conversations and decisions about my care. I never felt talked over, rushed, or brushed aside.
He also took the time to talk with my mom and understand what was going on in our situation. He was not intimidated by the fact that she is a nurse, nor did he assume we already knew everything. Instead, he explained things clearly, answered our questions without judgment, and treated us like regular people—not like a checklist or a challenge.
What meant the most to me was the way he advocated for my care. When questions or concerns arose, he took the initiative to clarify orders with the provider rather than simply moving on. That showed me he was truly paying attention and prioritizing both my safety and my understanding.
His care was gentle, thoughtful, and went beyond simply following orders. He used holistic nursing interventions to help me feel more comfortable and checked on me often without ever making excuses or mentioning how busy he was. Even though I knew he had other patients, he made me feel like I mattered.
Before he left for the day, he wished my mom good luck on her NP boards. That small moment meant a great deal to me. It showed that he truly paid attention to us as people, not just as a patient and a visitor.
I could tell this was not something he did only for us. Watching how he interacted with others, it was clear that he treated every patient like a VIP. I even heard another patient tell him how cool he was as a nurse.
Because of Daniel, I felt safe, respected, and genuinely cared for during a stressful experience. He represents everything nursing should be, and he is exactly the kind of nurse the DAISY Award was created to recognize.
Thank you, Daniel, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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