On behalf of my late mother, my brother, and myself, we would like to nominate Heather Kits for the DAISY Award. Heather is an exemplary nurse who is a living example of the Nightingale Pledge. Our mother had a lengthy hospital stay starting at the beginning of 2025, and it ended in an admission to inpatient hospice. Heather took care of Mom for a good portion of her hospital stay. We always knew Mom was in good hands when Heather was her nurse. We applaud Heather for her advocacy and collaboration. I am a daughter, but also a nurse. Each time I had questions regarding my mother’s care or questioned if there was a possibility of other treatment plans, Heather was not only more than willing to listen but also to collaborate. She would advocate for mom and her family by speaking with physicians regarding our concerns, or she would make sure that the physicians contacted us so we could discuss her plan of care/treatment.

Heather treated me with the professional respect that one RN should always give another RN. Heather knew I was struggling to balance my roles as a nurse and a daughter. She helped me walk that line perfectly. One might say that empathy and compassion are a lost art in healthcare. We believe Heather is a shining example of empathy and compassion. She treated my mother like she was her own mother, and she treated my brother and me like we were her family. Heather always took the time not only to ensure my mother’s healthcare needs were being met, but also went out of her way to check on the well-being of her family. Heather was a great source of compassion and support for our family as we were struggling with a seriously ill parent. Heather embodies the nursing values of compassion, advocacy, collaboration, and professional integrity as set forth by the Nightingale Pledge. I can think of no nurse more deserving of the DAISY Award than Heather Kits.