My nominee is an invaluable member of the team in her role as the Nursing Manager and we are incredibly fortunate to have her. Firstly, she is extremely dedicated and hardworking in putting the patient at the center. She is an epitome of strength, courage, kindness and compassion and is an awesome leader to all the nurses at Mediclinic Pietermaritzburg.

My 4-year-old son (the patient) had interesting conversations with her and tons of hugs which left him feeling right at home and so protected amongst the bright theatre lights and the fear of the unknown-Sr Dayaram just brought such calmness and immense love to him in situation riddled with fear and anxiety. As parents we felt just the same, she is just not the Nursing Manager, she is so much more to loved ones who are eagerly waiting in waiting rooms.

I recall another parent in the same room outside theatre - she was alone and so emotional as her world was falling apart and to make it even worse, she did not have any family with her. Sr Dayaram assured her and gave her such hope and light in that darkest moment and just that slightest touch of love and words of encouragement made a world of a difference. Only a special person can meet a stranger at their weakest point and become such a beacon of strength to them and their families. Her personality and love for the profession and patients are so evident in everything that she does and says, and this has a ripple effect not only on our staff, the patients, and visitors but the Community as a whole. In this world, where kindness, love, and compassion are often forgotten, we are extremely blessed to come across these fairies and superheroes, which is what she truly is. We appreciate her from the bottom of our hearts, and we will remember the admission/ procedure not by the fear and anxiety we had but by the love and comfort we felt from that special someone (Sr), this will be embedded in our memory banks, and I am sure that my son, at the tender age of 4, will also feel the same.