I have had the honor of working alongside Desire in the NICU, and I can say without hesitation that she is one of the most compassionate, skilled, and emotionally intelligent nurses I've ever known. Her love for these tiny patients and their families shines through in everything she does. In the NICU, emotions run high, and every ounce matters; every moment is precious. She understands this on the deepest level. She doesn't just care for our babies clinically; she cares for them with a kind of tenderness and intentionality that brings comfort to both the infant and the parents.

One story that stands out was with a micro-preemie who had been with us for weeks. The baby was critically ill, and the parents were emotionally exhausted. They were scared to bond too closely for fear of another setback. Desire gently bridged that gap. She would take time to explain every step of care, encouraged kangaroo time when appropriate, and celebrated the tiniest milestones with the parents as if they were her own: a first bottle, an open eye, a tiny grasp. Even on the hardest days, she shows up with grace and a calm demeanor. She embodies what it means to care holistically, mind, body, and heart.

Working beside her has made me a better nurse. Watching her care has reminded me why I became one in the first place. She doesn't just heal, she nurtures, she uplifts, and she inspires. Desire is the kind of nurse every NICU family hopes they'll have by their side, and the type of coworker every nurse is lucky to have.

She is everything the DAISY Award stands for.