JD cared for a patient on our unit who was in a house fire along with his wife. Our patient made a full recovery; however, his wife remained in the SICU for weeks until it became apparent that she was not going to recover from her injuries. JD comforted the family and our patient while they had to make the impossibly hard decision to withdraw care from his wife.

After the decision had been made, JD was there for our patient and his family in ways that went above and beyond the duties of a regular RN. JD arranged to be able to take our patient to the SICU to sit with his wife whenever he wanted and for as long as he wanted. He offered the family comfort as best he could. He made sure our patient had any and all needs and wants met, even going to the cafeteria to get him food when he didn't receive a tray.

He also advocated for our patient and made sure the Burn Team moved up a planned surgery so that our patient would be available to attend his wife's funeral. I followed JD after several of these tough shifts, and the family could not stop raving about him. They told stories of JD sitting with the patient, his wife, and family while wiping away his own tears. They conveyed how much it meant to them that JD cared so much about our patient and their family.

Though they were going through one of the most difficult times in their lives, they couldn't stop telling me how much they appreciated JD's heartfelt care and attention. I have been an RN for 13 years, and I have rarely seen an RN so in tune with our call to care for, not only the patients with whom we are charged, but also the family that surrounds them. JD has displayed the professionalism and genuine caring that exemplifies what it means to be a DAISY Honoree.