August 2026 Honoree
Kaitlyn Murphy, RN
It is my heartfelt honor to nominate Kaitlyn Murphy, RN, for the DAISY Award in recognition of her extraordinary compassion, dedication, and genuine humanity during my mother’s cancer treatment.
Throughout this difficult journey, Kaitlyn has been a consistent beacon of kindness and strength. She greets my mom with a warm smile every day, and her positivity is infectious. But it’s not just her cheerful demeanor that impresses; it is the way she always goes that extra mile with deep care and attentiveness.
I want to share one particular instance that highlights Kaitlyn’s exceptional dedication: After my mom transferred from short-term rehab in Redding, CT to Yale for her regularly scheduled 8-hour chemotherapy, Kaitlyn immediately noticed that her catheter did not look right and took swift action. The prior facility had failed to address an infection, leaving my mother in discomfort and at risk for worsening illness.
Without hesitation, Kaitlyn stayed past the end of her shift, working diligently until a new catheter was in place—all while supporting my mom through the challenges of her chemotherapy and my mother's struggle to walk due to recent falls and head trauma. She carefully monitored her condition, ran multiple urine tests, and made sure everything was secure and in place so that my mom could safely return to her short-term facility with an action plan moving forward.
Beyond her clinical skill, Kaitlyn brought reassurance and warmth: she found moments to make my mom laugh, turning what could have been a frightening and exhausting day into one filled with comfort and hope. That night, my mother slept better than she had in days, thanks to Kaitlyn’s compassion, skill, and perseverance.
But these types of acts are not outliers for Kaitlyn — they are every day. She cares deeply. She often shares that my mom reminds her of her own family, and you can see in every interaction that she invests her full heart. When she greets, when she listens, when she makes decisions about care, you absolutely feel the love behind it.
In my time working in healthcare, I have seen techs and nurses who move mechanically or treat care as routine. Kaitlyn is the complete opposite. She lives and breathes her calling. Every “hello,” every “goodbye,” every check-in, you sense authenticity, respect, and dignity. Her core values shine in every decision she makes; she embodies the culture, mission, and empathy that Yale (and the DAISY Award) stands for.
Because of her, my mother has felt seen, comforted, and safe, even in her most vulnerable moments. I cannot adequately express my gratitude, but I know Kaitlyn truly deserves this honor. She is a gift to the nursing profession and a blessing to our family.
Throughout this difficult journey, Kaitlyn has been a consistent beacon of kindness and strength. She greets my mom with a warm smile every day, and her positivity is infectious. But it’s not just her cheerful demeanor that impresses; it is the way she always goes that extra mile with deep care and attentiveness.
I want to share one particular instance that highlights Kaitlyn’s exceptional dedication: After my mom transferred from short-term rehab in Redding, CT to Yale for her regularly scheduled 8-hour chemotherapy, Kaitlyn immediately noticed that her catheter did not look right and took swift action. The prior facility had failed to address an infection, leaving my mother in discomfort and at risk for worsening illness.
Without hesitation, Kaitlyn stayed past the end of her shift, working diligently until a new catheter was in place—all while supporting my mom through the challenges of her chemotherapy and my mother's struggle to walk due to recent falls and head trauma. She carefully monitored her condition, ran multiple urine tests, and made sure everything was secure and in place so that my mom could safely return to her short-term facility with an action plan moving forward.
Beyond her clinical skill, Kaitlyn brought reassurance and warmth: she found moments to make my mom laugh, turning what could have been a frightening and exhausting day into one filled with comfort and hope. That night, my mother slept better than she had in days, thanks to Kaitlyn’s compassion, skill, and perseverance.
But these types of acts are not outliers for Kaitlyn — they are every day. She cares deeply. She often shares that my mom reminds her of her own family, and you can see in every interaction that she invests her full heart. When she greets, when she listens, when she makes decisions about care, you absolutely feel the love behind it.
In my time working in healthcare, I have seen techs and nurses who move mechanically or treat care as routine. Kaitlyn is the complete opposite. She lives and breathes her calling. Every “hello,” every “goodbye,” every check-in, you sense authenticity, respect, and dignity. Her core values shine in every decision she makes; she embodies the culture, mission, and empathy that Yale (and the DAISY Award) stands for.
Because of her, my mother has felt seen, comforted, and safe, even in her most vulnerable moments. I cannot adequately express my gratitude, but I know Kaitlyn truly deserves this honor. She is a gift to the nursing profession and a blessing to our family.
Thank you, Kaitlyn, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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