I will start out by saying that I am also an employee of OCMMC. In September, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. This came as a total shock and even though I am a social worker I was totally unprepared to hear those words or to know how to follow up. Following this diagnosis I truly don't know how I would have gotten through all of the initial phases of my diagnosis without Diane's help, it was as if she just scooped me up in her loving arms and led me through the entire process. She made all of my appointments for me and worked around my work schedule so that it would all be the least disruptive as possible to my life. She encouraged me and supported me and I felt like I had an amazing advocate and friend in my corner. She kept encouraging me to allow me to be a patient and to be taken care of instead of being a co-worker or a social worker. She instilled a lot of confidence in me all along the way.

I thought that I knew the value of the nurse navigator but you don't truly understand the value until you are going through the process yourself. It would have been so much more challenging and confusing and really difficult without Diane's loving support and care. For me Diane is the kind of a role model and nurse that the Barnes family was thinking of when they created this award. I sincerely hope that she will be the recipient of this award for her genuine caring and compassion and great skill set. It is an honor for me to nominate Diane for this very special DAISY Award.