I want to nominate Ken Palmer for a DAISY award. Ken is a remarkedly strong nurse with a wealth of knowledge, but even more importantly, he touches the lives of his Veterans. He encompasses what the DAISY Award encompasses, which is the patient’s experience with an Extraordinary Nurse. The Veterans ALWAYS thank Ken for connecting with them deeply and personally. They boast about his way of connecting, especially as a fellow Veteran, and praise him for his compassion and kindness. In his current role as a mental health nurse, Ken listens to the Veterans attentively and always addresses their medical and psychological concerns.

Recently, a Veteran wrote Ken a handwritten letter that said, “Ken, what can I say but thanks, Brother? You are what a man should be: kind, generous, a good listener, and most importantly, gentle. I enjoyed our chats in the early morning. I was always hoping it was you coming into my room. Thank you. I’ll always remember you and picture you relaxing in your red and white chairs. Good luck and best wishes. The VA is a better place because of men like you.”

He is dedicated and committed to serving Veterans and their families’ needs. He should be honored as a DAISY Nurse.