Out of pure gratitude for her compassion, kindness and extraordinary care before/after my gall bladder surgery, I'd like to nominate McKenzie Pederson for the DAISY Award for showing me such tenderness and the many special acts of kindness during my 12-hour stay at Rice Hospital, Willmar, MN.

Two of the scariest days of my life began when I entered the emergency room with severe heart palpitations. Many tests were done during the 6 hours I was flat on my back. My heart indeed had palpitations but turned out not the main concern. However, my liver test was ending at 6 am with the doctor announcing I'd have to have gall bladder surgery Sat. or Sun as a team could be assembled.

Sat. morning a team was assembled with surgery scheduled for 9:30 am. At 6 am I was rapidly wheeled upstairs to a hospital room. A barrage of people came into my room for various tests, hookups, IV, heart monitors, etc. I noticed Kenzie’s name on the whiteboard as my nurse for the day. Little did I know I'd meet such a compassionate nurse who would calm me into accepting ordinary gall bladder surgery (to everybody there) with extraordinary care and the many personal acts of kindness that I needed so badly.

I was petrified, surly, tired, and totally scared when Kenzie introduced herself. She thought she knew me as one of her elementary teachers. Of course, being 78 yrs. old and retired from teaching for 12 years, I couldn't possibly recognize her, but instinctively I knew she would sincerely help me through this scary time. Kenzie wheeled me into the operating room, all prepped and ready for my unexpected, surprise surgery. All I remember when I woke up was that Kenzie was there, making sure I was comfortable, and everything was hooked up properly. All the other people were there, too, doing their specialties, even a cleaning person.