My husband and I would like to nominate Marissa Bordner for a DAISY Award for her incredible care during my stay at Gettysburg Hospital and as a Lactation Consultant. Marissa and I go back to her start as a nurse. She was my first preceptee during our time on a medical-surgical unit at a different hospital. We became incredibly close friends because of her moral and ethical care for patients and their families. Marissa has a special touch with everyone she meets. She deeply cares for everyone despite their flaws. Marissa moved to Gettysburg Hospital to fulfill her ultimate purpose as a labor and delivery/maternity nurse. When I first became pregnant, I was told by a midwife that I was miscarrying because of a dropped HCG level. I had never met this midwife, and the start of my maternal care was very cold and disconnected. Marissa made me feel heard and supported. She helped me connect with the office and answered my questions when I was most vulnerable. As my pregnancy progressed, Marissa cheered me on and supported my decisions. I always wanted to deliver my children at Gettysburg Hospital, because I was born there, but after my initial obstetric care, I was hesitant. I decided to stay with Gettysburg specifically because of the nurses. I felt safe with them and knew I would be supported. I am so glad that I chose to deliver at Gettysburg.

Marissa was the BEST nurse I have ever experienced. I knew that labor and delivery nursing could be hard, but as a nurse, I never realized how patient-centered, time-consuming, and demanding it was to deliver such care. From the start of my induction, I felt included and in charge of my medical care. My husband was very nervous, and Marissa talked our way through every step. I was induced two days before going into actual labor, and Marissa was my nurse for those two days. She picked up for M on the day I was delivering to cover her first four hours, as she had an emergency she had to attend to. When Marissa left, I quickly went into labor about an hour later. I begged someone to let her know that I was about to start pushing. Marissa got to her house, where she was about to eat Easter dinner, told her family she had to go, and came back "as a support person" just to talk me through the most terrifying time of my life. I can't think of a better friend or better nurse. Marissa is more than deserving of the DAISY Award because she embodies this mentality in every shift and in every interaction. I am glad to see that the "baby" nurse I helped to raise is thriving in a field she feels so passionately about. The compassion, dedication, kindness, and care that she exudes in her daily care are noticed and appreciated by her patients. I now have first-hand experience of her clinical expertise and kindness.

In addition to being a wonderful labor nurse, Marissa was my lactation consultant for two separate visits. I was drowning in newborn struggles, and breastfeeding was not going well. Marissa taught both my husband and me so many tactics to address breastfeeding struggles. We were so impressed by the number of tips she gave us to help us bond with our baby and to try our best with breastfeeding. She heard my concerns, talked to me through my tears, and helped me to understand that I can bond with my baby in so many other ways. She treated me as a person and as a patient. In that time, yes, we were friends, but her professional behavior was so much more. I truly believe that she treated me as compassionately as her other patients, taking extra time to make the time valuable.

Overall, I believe Marissa deserves this award because her care is consistent, genuine, and dedicated to the field of nursing. My husband and I cannot thank her enough for making our labor experience so amazing. We cannot wait to come back to Gettysburg Hospital for the fabulous care for any additional children we may have in the future.