Dexter Medrano, RN

I am nominating Dexter for the DAISY Award because of the extraordinary care he provided to my daughter and me during her recent stay on 3 West. My daughter has autism, has special needs, and is nonverbal. When she was admitted, she was scared and very sick—and honestly, I was terrified too. My daughter does not typically take well to strangers, but Dexter immediately made her feel safe and comfortable. He made her laugh and explained everything he was doing directly to her, treating her with the ultimate dignity and respect. He was patient and kind, never treating her like a "special needs person," but simply as a person who deserved excellent care. He always made sure she felt safe before doing any procedure. When he called her an "Angel," she would smile and reach out to hold his hand, which is her unique way of saying thank you.

Dexter was equally amazing to me. At one point, I was crying, feeling completely helpless watching my daughter go through so much. Dexter noticed, offered words of encouragement, and reminded me that I was a good mom. He took the time to answer all my questions and explain every procedure, which really lifted our spirits. He truly cared. My daughter grew so excited to see him every day that he quickly became her favorite nurse. He even went out of his way to find the specific blankets she liked and the exact Ensure flavors that would encourage her to start eating and drinking again. Because I stayed by her side throughout the entire admission, he made sure I was comfortable and cared for, too.

Nurses like Dexter are very rare. For some, healthcare can become routine, but not for him. Dexter puts genuine love and care into everything he does and truly embodies what a nurse should be. At other hospitals, my daughter has often been treated coldly or overlooked because of her special needs, but not once did Dexter do that. We want to make sure he knows how deeply we appreciate him. Because of Dexter and the incredible team of nurses who cared for us, I will always choose this hospital from here on out. Thank you, Dexter!