July 2026 Honoree
Luke Stier, RN
I would like to nominate Luke S., RN, for the care he gave my son during a recent ER visit.
A has a complicated medical history, including glaucoma, Sturge-Weber syndrome, and weakness on one side of his body. From the moment Luke came in, he treated A like a real person. He talked to him directly, joked with him in a way that actually landed, and made him feel seen instead of just being another patient.
He asked A if he felt safe at home and if anyone was hurting him. A said his brother hurts him, and I clarified that his brother is one. Luke responded, “Ahh, and you’re telling me you can’t take that??”
The biggest thing for me was how he handled the IV. A has had a very traumatic experience in the past with multiple nurses and repeated failed attempts, so he was very clear that he did not want one.
Luke didn’t push him or dismiss that fear. He stayed calm and talked him through everything in a normal, steady voice. He was honest about what they could and couldn’t do in the ER, which I appreciated. It helped both of us know what to expect.
He took his time looking at A’s arms and even checked his right arm, which doesn’t have full use. At one point, he and I exchanged a look that gave me the space to help explain to A what needed to happen next. That kind of quiet teamwork meant a lot in the moment.
When the first attempt didn’t work, Luke stayed calm and kept going without making it feel like a big deal. He explained things to me as we went and adjusted without making A feel like something was going wrong. He was able to place the IV successfully in A’s forearm, and the whole situation was handled in a way that was completely different from what we’ve experienced before.
What stood out most was his presence. He wasn’t overly rehearsed or overly soft, and he wasn’t rushed. He was just steady, clear, and respectful the entire time.
This could have easily been another traumatic experience for A, and it wasn’t. That is because of how Luke handled it.
I am very grateful for the care he gave my son, and I truly believe he deserves to be recognized for it.
A has a complicated medical history, including glaucoma, Sturge-Weber syndrome, and weakness on one side of his body. From the moment Luke came in, he treated A like a real person. He talked to him directly, joked with him in a way that actually landed, and made him feel seen instead of just being another patient.
He asked A if he felt safe at home and if anyone was hurting him. A said his brother hurts him, and I clarified that his brother is one. Luke responded, “Ahh, and you’re telling me you can’t take that??”
The biggest thing for me was how he handled the IV. A has had a very traumatic experience in the past with multiple nurses and repeated failed attempts, so he was very clear that he did not want one.
Luke didn’t push him or dismiss that fear. He stayed calm and talked him through everything in a normal, steady voice. He was honest about what they could and couldn’t do in the ER, which I appreciated. It helped both of us know what to expect.
He took his time looking at A’s arms and even checked his right arm, which doesn’t have full use. At one point, he and I exchanged a look that gave me the space to help explain to A what needed to happen next. That kind of quiet teamwork meant a lot in the moment.
When the first attempt didn’t work, Luke stayed calm and kept going without making it feel like a big deal. He explained things to me as we went and adjusted without making A feel like something was going wrong. He was able to place the IV successfully in A’s forearm, and the whole situation was handled in a way that was completely different from what we’ve experienced before.
What stood out most was his presence. He wasn’t overly rehearsed or overly soft, and he wasn’t rushed. He was just steady, clear, and respectful the entire time.
This could have easily been another traumatic experience for A, and it wasn’t. That is because of how Luke handled it.
I am very grateful for the care he gave my son, and I truly believe he deserves to be recognized for it.
Thank you, Luke, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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