I nominate Jared Walker, RN on Gibson for the DAISY Award. Here's my story why:

"He's #1"! I've been coming to MMC for years because of my disease (Cancer) and this was the one time that I felt completely cared for. I care for my wife who has Parkinson Disease and for me to come in for chemotherapy I have to arrange care for my wife, which is difficult and scary, I just love her so much. I always worry about her when I have to come to MMC for my chemotherapy treatment, which increases my anxiety. I've never met Jared before and I wish I had. Jared made me feel I was his only patient, even though I know I was not. I told him about my wife and how nervous I was and that it was my 59th wedding anniversary. I was away from my bride and I could not stop crying. Jared took the time to sit down with me and listen to my life story. After telling my story, I was relaxed, calm and felt well taken care of. Jared took the time and notified all my family making sure everyone knew all that was going on and the plan of the day. I've never had anyone do that, call my family. My family is so appreciative that he did that. They are just as struck at Jared's commitment to excellence and compassionate care it is overwhelming and a breath of fresh air. We will always talk about Jared and what he did not only for me, but my family, my wife. We talked about every blood result and the chemotherapy that changes my life when I'm home. He provided useful suggestions for me and my wife. He made a difference in my life and I hope he can take care of me again. For meeting Jared for a short time, I know he gives this care to all his patients.

I have pain from my cancer, and it's bad, real bad and my home medicine was different from what the doctors wanted to give me in here. Jared called the doctors and got me what I needed. He had to call three to four times, he kept calling my pain was so bad. I could see and feel his anger, he wanted me to be pain free and I was after he called the doctors a lot. The doctors never came to see me regarding my pain, but Jared kept calling and got me my home pain medications I take. Thank the Lord I had Jared who listened to me and acted on my behalf. I knew from that point I had a real good nurse, excellent! Above the calling nurse.

Another thing, I have a history of CHF and before chemotherapy I needed lots of blood. I know from experience the nurses sit with you for the first 15 minutes. Jared stayed for 30 minutes to make sure I would be ok. He could sense I was nervous and I missed my wife. I had to get Lasix before because of too much fluid to fast, plus my chemo after. Jared just staying the extra 15 minutes made me feel WOW, I was important, he really wanted me to be safe and go home to be with my wife.

I needed to have a CT scan and Jared arranged that for me while I was here, he did it all. He's the nurse all patients should have, he thought of everything.

I believe I did so well only because of Jared, I know he worked with others that day, but he made all the difference in the world to me. I will never forget Jared, he will always have a place in my heart. He spent so much time with me, my time is limited with my wife and I miss her so much. I just can't express enough how great he made me feel. He's an angel, don't lose him. I was so well taken care of by Jared, I look forward to seeing him again. Maybe next time I can bring my wife in so she can meet Jared.

My family and I will always speak about the MMC angel on Gibson. He's more than the DAISY Award, he's the best!