I was a rehabilitation patient at Kaiser Permanente Vallejo for 3 weeks. I was paralyzed following spine surgery and at a very low point in my life. I was in the hospital for what felt like an eternity. Some nurses were obviously better than others, but one nurse stood out significantly more than the rest.

Nurse Esther made me feel valued and cared for every single day she was there. Esther treated me like family while also making me feel like a valued patient. Esther was patient and took every opportunity to educate me on my care and what was being given or done to me. Giving patients the choice and autonomy to make decisions is a small gesture that goes a long way. Esther was always professional and I knew I was going to be well taken care of when I saw her name on my board. I was in the hospital/rehab for 6 weeks and by far, Esther was the most caring and competent nurse I had the pleasure of meeting.

My girlfriend was with me everyday, and Esther always made her feel welcomed and taken care of as well. She always made sure she had water, snacks, and blankets to make her more comfortable. This was a gesture not every nurse made, but it definitely made me as a patient feel more comfortable knowing my caregiver and partner was comfortable. It’s hard to pinpoint a singular story or experience with her because every day with her was a good one.

She has left an immense impression on us to the point that two months later, we still think of her and the great care she took of me in the lowest and hardest point of my life. She helped me through a period in which I had no clue what I was doing or how to navigate my new reality. She helped me find myself and forge a new path forward. My family and I are eternally grateful for her. Esther is the best nurse that me and my family have ever encountered; this is the reason she deserves the DAISY Award.