May 2026 Honoree
Diego Sabio Paese, BSN, RN
My mom was admitted to Stanford in September and passed away at home a few days after she was discharged. During her stay, she was on Unit B on the second floor of the older hospital. Her nurse was Diego Sabio, and I am writing to recognize him on her behalf.
My mom had been in and out of the hospital throughout the past year as she battled complications from her lung cancer. She had met many nurses during that time, but she told me—more than once—that she had never experienced the level of care, compassion, and genuine humanity that Diego showed her during this last admission.
Diego not only managed her medical needs with exceptional skill, but he consistently took the time to listen to her fears, comfort her, and make her feel safe. One moment that truly stayed with her was when he called the chapel multiple times until someone was able to come and provide her spiritual support, he stayed with her and reassured her that she was going to be okay, that nothing was going to happen because she wasn’t going to be alone because one of her biggest fears was passing at the hospital and that no one would be around. That meant everything to her. She felt seen, heard, and cared for as a whole person—not just a patient.
In the days before she passed, my mom asked me several times if I had contacted Stanford to nominate Diego. She wanted to make sure he knew how much he impacted her and how deeply she appreciated him. Life moved quickly, and I didn’t get the chance to fill out the nomination while she was still here, so I am doing this now—one month later—fulfilling the last request she made of me.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Diego made my mom feel safe, supported, and comforted during one of the hardest moments of her life, and for that, our family is forever grateful.
My mom had been in and out of the hospital throughout the past year as she battled complications from her lung cancer. She had met many nurses during that time, but she told me—more than once—that she had never experienced the level of care, compassion, and genuine humanity that Diego showed her during this last admission.
Diego not only managed her medical needs with exceptional skill, but he consistently took the time to listen to her fears, comfort her, and make her feel safe. One moment that truly stayed with her was when he called the chapel multiple times until someone was able to come and provide her spiritual support, he stayed with her and reassured her that she was going to be okay, that nothing was going to happen because she wasn’t going to be alone because one of her biggest fears was passing at the hospital and that no one would be around. That meant everything to her. She felt seen, heard, and cared for as a whole person—not just a patient.
In the days before she passed, my mom asked me several times if I had contacted Stanford to nominate Diego. She wanted to make sure he knew how much he impacted her and how deeply she appreciated him. Life moved quickly, and I didn’t get the chance to fill out the nomination while she was still here, so I am doing this now—one month later—fulfilling the last request she made of me.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Diego made my mom feel safe, supported, and comforted during one of the hardest moments of her life, and for that, our family is forever grateful.
Thank you, Diego, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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