August 2025 Honoree
Emily Collins, RN
These last three and a half weeks have been a whirlwind for our family, and Emily, from the 6th Floor night shift at Penn State Health Children's Hospital, showed me just how deeply she loves not only her job, but also the patients and families she cares for.
My daughter was admitted with a central line infection that ultimately required her central line to be removed. While waiting for a new line to be placed, she received a temporary internal jugular (IJ) line. When she returned to the floor after the procedure, she was struggling to breathe and trying to vomit.
Emily immediately sprang into action.
She quickly helped support my daughter, holding her upright, and I could immediately see my daughter begin to relax. When Emily and I noticed blood around the IJ site, she wasted no time making sure the Pediatric Surgery team was notified so they could assess it right away.
Throughout this admission, Emily also made a special effort to include my older daughter in everything that was happening. She took the time to explain things in a way that was appropriate for her age, helping her understand what was happening to her little sister instead of leaving her feeling scared or left out.
One of my favorite memories happened a few nights later while we were walking laps around the unit to keep my daughter active. Emily was working that evening, and my daughter was carrying around a disposable stethoscope, pretending to be a doctor or nurse. Emily immediately joined in, letting my daughter listen to her heartbeat. Before long, my daughter climbed onto Emily's lap and snuggled right in, completely comfortable and trusting.
Emily truly took the time to understand my daughter's unique personality and needs. She happily joined in my daughter's silly nighttime games and even added adorable drawings to the mailbox my daughter had placed outside her room for nurses and staff to leave little notes and messages.
These small acts of kindness made an enormous difference during a long and difficult hospitalization.
What touched me even more was that even on nights when my daughter was not assigned to Emily, she still stopped by our room just to say hello and make sure we were doing okay.
Over the many hospitalizations my youngest daughter has experienced, I have met countless nurses. Emily is, without question, one of the most attentive, compassionate, patient, and memorable caregivers we have ever encountered.
She made me feel more at peace during one of the hardest experiences our family has faced, and I will forever be grateful for the care she provided. Knowing that when we return to the 6th Floor for future procedures, my daughter may once again have Emily caring for her brings me tremendous comfort.
Emily exemplifies everything the DAISY Award represents. She cared not only for my daughter's medical needs, but also for her emotional well-being, our family's peace of mind, and the childhood she continued to protect even within hospital walls.
She is truly deserving of this recognition.
My daughter was admitted with a central line infection that ultimately required her central line to be removed. While waiting for a new line to be placed, she received a temporary internal jugular (IJ) line. When she returned to the floor after the procedure, she was struggling to breathe and trying to vomit.
Emily immediately sprang into action.
She quickly helped support my daughter, holding her upright, and I could immediately see my daughter begin to relax. When Emily and I noticed blood around the IJ site, she wasted no time making sure the Pediatric Surgery team was notified so they could assess it right away.
Throughout this admission, Emily also made a special effort to include my older daughter in everything that was happening. She took the time to explain things in a way that was appropriate for her age, helping her understand what was happening to her little sister instead of leaving her feeling scared or left out.
One of my favorite memories happened a few nights later while we were walking laps around the unit to keep my daughter active. Emily was working that evening, and my daughter was carrying around a disposable stethoscope, pretending to be a doctor or nurse. Emily immediately joined in, letting my daughter listen to her heartbeat. Before long, my daughter climbed onto Emily's lap and snuggled right in, completely comfortable and trusting.
Emily truly took the time to understand my daughter's unique personality and needs. She happily joined in my daughter's silly nighttime games and even added adorable drawings to the mailbox my daughter had placed outside her room for nurses and staff to leave little notes and messages.
These small acts of kindness made an enormous difference during a long and difficult hospitalization.
What touched me even more was that even on nights when my daughter was not assigned to Emily, she still stopped by our room just to say hello and make sure we were doing okay.
Over the many hospitalizations my youngest daughter has experienced, I have met countless nurses. Emily is, without question, one of the most attentive, compassionate, patient, and memorable caregivers we have ever encountered.
She made me feel more at peace during one of the hardest experiences our family has faced, and I will forever be grateful for the care she provided. Knowing that when we return to the 6th Floor for future procedures, my daughter may once again have Emily caring for her brings me tremendous comfort.
Emily exemplifies everything the DAISY Award represents. She cared not only for my daughter's medical needs, but also for her emotional well-being, our family's peace of mind, and the childhood she continued to protect even within hospital walls.
She is truly deserving of this recognition.
Thank you, Emily, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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