January 2026 Honoree
Isabel "Izzy" Ward, BSN, RN
Nurse Isabel Ward certainly exhibits all of the attributes needed for nomination and is an exemplary nurse. Nurse Ward (Izzy) cared for me at Evergreen Kirkland.
During the hand-off from the night nurse to Izzy, I was immediately impressed by how engaged Izzy was in the process. Most nurses who are being handed over a patient passively accept the information, but Izzy was very actively engaged in asking questions where needed and talking with me just to get to know my situation.
On her first official care visit, she spent quite a bit of extra time to make sure I was comfortable, safe, and had no unfulfilled needs. She clearly outlined what the day’s plans were and double-checked with me at the end that I had no open questions at all.
Each time she entered my room, she was extremely efficient and professional in conducting the tasks (IV medicine, dispensing of pills, evaluating my condition, doing all of that ‘nurse’ stuff). She was always professional and empathetic when accessing my body as needed for care. Based on her demeanor, I never felt embarrassed or uncomfortable. That is a rare and valued situation. She even wrestled a very reluctant set of compression socks onto me and took it as a personal challenge to succeed!
I had been having some difficulties in prior days balancing being connected to the various monitors and IV pumps, and accessing the bathroom and being able to get up and move a little. Izzy worked out a plan to allow me some more independent movement, but preserve the medical connections needed and keep me safe. It made my remaining days in the hospital quite more emotionally comfortable.
Finally, a general observation for the time she cared for me is that she is fully engaged all the time. I had a wide view of the main hallway from my bed, and I never saw her going somewhere other than walking at road-runner speed. Even then, if I wasn’t her next assigned task, in the middle of that gait she would often veer into my room, check to see if everything was alright, and take care of whatever.
There was no “I’ll let the CNA know” if I had a request; Nurse Ward immediately took care of it herself and then zoomed on to help another lucky patient. She is dedication and enthusiasm personified.
I must explain that I’ve been hospitalized a lot in my lifetime – durations running from two days to over 40 days -- so I know the complete range of care behaviors possible. I’m speaking from a position of considerable experience.
Isabel Ward absolutely is at the top of all caregivers that I have had the fortune (or misfortune) to meet. A DAISY indeed.
During the hand-off from the night nurse to Izzy, I was immediately impressed by how engaged Izzy was in the process. Most nurses who are being handed over a patient passively accept the information, but Izzy was very actively engaged in asking questions where needed and talking with me just to get to know my situation.
On her first official care visit, she spent quite a bit of extra time to make sure I was comfortable, safe, and had no unfulfilled needs. She clearly outlined what the day’s plans were and double-checked with me at the end that I had no open questions at all.
Each time she entered my room, she was extremely efficient and professional in conducting the tasks (IV medicine, dispensing of pills, evaluating my condition, doing all of that ‘nurse’ stuff). She was always professional and empathetic when accessing my body as needed for care. Based on her demeanor, I never felt embarrassed or uncomfortable. That is a rare and valued situation. She even wrestled a very reluctant set of compression socks onto me and took it as a personal challenge to succeed!
I had been having some difficulties in prior days balancing being connected to the various monitors and IV pumps, and accessing the bathroom and being able to get up and move a little. Izzy worked out a plan to allow me some more independent movement, but preserve the medical connections needed and keep me safe. It made my remaining days in the hospital quite more emotionally comfortable.
Finally, a general observation for the time she cared for me is that she is fully engaged all the time. I had a wide view of the main hallway from my bed, and I never saw her going somewhere other than walking at road-runner speed. Even then, if I wasn’t her next assigned task, in the middle of that gait she would often veer into my room, check to see if everything was alright, and take care of whatever.
There was no “I’ll let the CNA know” if I had a request; Nurse Ward immediately took care of it herself and then zoomed on to help another lucky patient. She is dedication and enthusiasm personified.
I must explain that I’ve been hospitalized a lot in my lifetime – durations running from two days to over 40 days -- so I know the complete range of care behaviors possible. I’m speaking from a position of considerable experience.
Isabel Ward absolutely is at the top of all caregivers that I have had the fortune (or misfortune) to meet. A DAISY indeed.
Thank you, Isabel "Izzy", for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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