I had experienced a heart attack at home, and another at the VA Hospital. I was sent by ambulance to the Nebraska Medical Center, where I had yet another heart attack on the operating table. There Dr. S and his team performed an emergency quadruple bypass on me - saving my life.

As I came out of the anesthesia, the first face I recall seeing was Jen's and while the Doctor was making guarded statements to my family about my prognosis, Jen was assuring me that I could survive the pain and would enjoy life again. My family members commented later that they were impressed with Jen's positive, confident attitude when, to them, things weren't looking too good for me.

Over the next several days, I came to count on Jen as she was always looking out for me. She seemed to anticipate when I needed some help. If I slid down in my bed, Jen would be summoning another nurse or tech to help lift me up. When my mouth felt like the Sahara, Jen would be there with a spoonful of ice for me. When I voiced concern about the long-term effects of the pain medications, Jen assured me that the doses would not cause addiction.

The Doctors saved my life, but Jen restored my resolve to get better, and my faith that I could, indeed, do so.

The first day while I was sleeping, a man (possibly a tech,) came up to my bed and woke me by saying rather loudly, "Gerald!" My startled response caused me excruciating pain. Afterward, Jen questioned me on why I awoke with such a violent reaction. I explained to her that, as a disabled Vietnam Veteran I suffer from PTSD, and that an exaggerated startle response is a common symptom. She is the only one I recall speaking to about it, but from then on, everyone made it a point to quietly awaken me. I'm confident that she is the one responsible for that courtesy. That's the kind of compassion that you cannot teach people they just have it.

I've been associated with hospitals in Hawaii, California, Rhode Island and Massachusetts, and I've never seen a nursing staff that exhibited the overall excellent level of care that the staff of The Nebraska Medical Center showed me. I am thankful that, in my most physically-trying time, I had the nurse who has raised that standard of excellence even higher.

I am confident that Jen has earned the honor of receiving the DAISY Award, and the recognition which accompanies it.