Elizabeth Homan, RN

It is an honor to commend Elizabeth Homan for the extraordinary compassion, honesty, and exceptional nursing care she gave to our mother. My mother lived with Parkinsons disease, osteoporosis, scoliosis, arthritis, and anxiety. She was fiercely independent and struggled to accept that she needed help. She did not want people coming into her home, and I had to be present during those early visits.

I will never forget Elizabeth's very first interaction with Mom. Elizabeth patiently explained part of Mom's care plan. Mom asked the same question three times. Without the slightest hint of frustration, Elizabeth smiled and gently said, "G, you’ve asked me this same question several times. Do you not understand my answer, or are you hoping for a different one?" My mother looked at her and replied, "I guess I was hoping for a different answer." Elizabeth answered with kindness and honesty, telling Mom that she would always tell her the truth. In that moment, a bond was formed.

My mother trusted Elizabeth completely. From then on, nearly every conversation I had with Mom included the question, "Did Elizabeth agree that’s what I should do?" Elizabeth became more than her nurse; she became her trusted advisor, her advocate, and our teammate. As Mom's primary caregiver, I cannot express what a gift that was. The burden of navigating her healthcare no longer rested on my shoulders alone because I knew Elizabeth was walking beside us every step of the way.

Elizabeth created a safe space where my mother felt comfortable discussing fears and concerns she didn’t even want to share with her own children. She treated Mom with dignity, respect, patience, and genuine love. She saw the person beyond the diagnoses.

In Mom's final days, there was only one person she wanted by her side besides her family: Elizabeth. She wanted the person who had always given her the truth, comfort, and unwavering compassion. Elizabeth will forever be a part of our family. Her extraordinary nursing skills are matched only by her patience, empathy, and ability to build authentic relationships with the people she cares for. She didn’t just care for our mother’s medical needs; she cared for her heart, her spirit, and our entire family. Elizabeth represents everything the DAISY Award stands for. We will always be grateful for the difference she made in Mom's life and in ours.