Garwin McDowell
September 2025
Garwin
McDowell
,
RN
Supervision
Westchester Medical Center
Valhalla
,
NY
United States
His willingness to assist wherever needed makes a meaningful difference in our day-to-day.
We would like to take this opportunity to formally nominate Garwin for the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. Garwin consistently demonstrates exceptional dedication, compassion, and leadership in his role, and we are grateful for the invaluable support he provides to our unit.
Even though he is not the primary nurse for our patients, Garwin’s presence is felt through the quality of care and the unwavering support he extends to both patients and colleagues.
Our nurses have shared the following reflections on his impact:
"As a new nurse, mistakes can easily happen. That’s why it’s so important to have a supportive and understanding supervisor—someone you can trust to advocate for you in times of need. That is exactly what Garwin does."
“Whenever I text him for help with IVs, he’s never said no to me. He always comes up. He is supportive because he doesn't just get the IV; he is always teaching and showing nurses how to manage difficult sticks. He always makes me feel good about myself as a professional nurse.”
“He has always helped me during rapids and advocates for the patient to get sent to where they need to be for proper care, whether it's talking with the bed board or the residents, he never dismisses what I feel needs to be done and helps me get the patient where they need to be.”
“Garwin is an exemplary nurse and nursing supervisor, providing safety and reassurance on multiple levels. He advocates for patient safety and always goes above and beyond to ensure patients are treated with the utmost care and respect.”
“He advocates for safe staffing and always makes the nurses he works with feel heard and understood. It is a pleasure to work with Garwin, and he absolutely should be recognized for his dedication and service to our patients and nurses.”
"In my first year as a nurse, Garwin has consistently shown me nothing but respect, compassion, and professionalism. No matter how busy he is, he is always willing to help me, whether it’s resolving a challenge or assisting with an IV. I truly appreciate his kindness and constant willingness to lend a helping hand."
"As a family member of a patient, a WMC, and nurse practitioner treating patients, when Garwin is present, I feel reassured knowing that I have a knowledgeable and supportive nursing supervisor who carefully considers the situation and takes appropriate action. I have found him to be consistently reliable and professional, always stepping in when needed. He exemplifies what it means to be a truly supportive nurse leader."
"When he knows there's a complex patient on a unit, he rounds multiple times. He teaches the nurses what is going on, why it's happening, and how we normally treat them. He examines the patient himself and checks in with the nurse. He goes above and beyond to make sure everyone is okay."
Garwin’s reliability, teamwork, and dedication do not go unnoticed. His willingness to assist wherever needed makes a meaningful difference in our day-to-day.
It is with great appreciation and respect that we submit this nomination. Garwin exemplifies the values and spirit of the DAISY Award and Nursing excellence. We sincerely hope he is recognized for his extraordinary contributions to nursing.
Even though he is not the primary nurse for our patients, Garwin’s presence is felt through the quality of care and the unwavering support he extends to both patients and colleagues.
Our nurses have shared the following reflections on his impact:
"As a new nurse, mistakes can easily happen. That’s why it’s so important to have a supportive and understanding supervisor—someone you can trust to advocate for you in times of need. That is exactly what Garwin does."
“Whenever I text him for help with IVs, he’s never said no to me. He always comes up. He is supportive because he doesn't just get the IV; he is always teaching and showing nurses how to manage difficult sticks. He always makes me feel good about myself as a professional nurse.”
“He has always helped me during rapids and advocates for the patient to get sent to where they need to be for proper care, whether it's talking with the bed board or the residents, he never dismisses what I feel needs to be done and helps me get the patient where they need to be.”
“Garwin is an exemplary nurse and nursing supervisor, providing safety and reassurance on multiple levels. He advocates for patient safety and always goes above and beyond to ensure patients are treated with the utmost care and respect.”
“He advocates for safe staffing and always makes the nurses he works with feel heard and understood. It is a pleasure to work with Garwin, and he absolutely should be recognized for his dedication and service to our patients and nurses.”
"In my first year as a nurse, Garwin has consistently shown me nothing but respect, compassion, and professionalism. No matter how busy he is, he is always willing to help me, whether it’s resolving a challenge or assisting with an IV. I truly appreciate his kindness and constant willingness to lend a helping hand."
"As a family member of a patient, a WMC, and nurse practitioner treating patients, when Garwin is present, I feel reassured knowing that I have a knowledgeable and supportive nursing supervisor who carefully considers the situation and takes appropriate action. I have found him to be consistently reliable and professional, always stepping in when needed. He exemplifies what it means to be a truly supportive nurse leader."
"When he knows there's a complex patient on a unit, he rounds multiple times. He teaches the nurses what is going on, why it's happening, and how we normally treat them. He examines the patient himself and checks in with the nurse. He goes above and beyond to make sure everyone is okay."
Garwin’s reliability, teamwork, and dedication do not go unnoticed. His willingness to assist wherever needed makes a meaningful difference in our day-to-day.
It is with great appreciation and respect that we submit this nomination. Garwin exemplifies the values and spirit of the DAISY Award and Nursing excellence. We sincerely hope he is recognized for his extraordinary contributions to nursing.