Lakeisha Lockhart and the 6-Safe Harbor Unit were recognized as the DAISY Award Winners for April 2018 during National Nurses Week at the Birmingham VA Medical Center. The unit truly exemplified this year's theme, "Nurses Inspire, Innovate, and Influence," set forth by the American Nurses Association. Safe Harbor was nominated for the exceptional service, leadership, and teamwork that they provided to a dying veteran and his family during their time on the unit. The Veteran's daughter wanted to convey her family's sincere gratitude for the care provided by all members of team (i.e. nursing, social work, physicians, nurse practitioners, EVS, and dietary services). The daughter of the Veteran stated the following, "Our dad is 97-years old, and after time spent on the floor and in the intensive care unit, he was moved to the 6th floor, Safe Harbor…We never encountered any person on that floor who was not concern with his care, and took time to speak with us and him, and asked if we needed anything. They were even a shoulder to cry on." In the nomination letter, the family felt like they were never alone during this period even when the Veteran was discharged from the hospital on hospice care. The daughter concluded the nomination by stating, "Please convey our thanks and love for some 'Super Humans' employed by the Veterans Administration Hospital! Even if they do not get an 'Award' for being the best unit ever, they will always be #1 in our hearts. This has been an experience that we will never forget. When our dad's time comes, we hope we can be right back there with caring friends."
During the recognition ceremony for the Safe Harbor Unit, the family of the Veteran stopped by and surprised the staff. The Veteran had passed away, but it was expressed by the family the deepest appreciation for the staff for going "Above and Beyond" in their care for him.