Mark Sokolskiy, RN

I would like to nominate Mark, RN, for a DAISY Award for the incredible care he gave my grandma during the last few months of her life. Mark was my grandma's home health wound nurse, and from the very beginning he was kind, thorough, and genuinely invested in her care. Every time he came to see her, he took his time and made sure everything was addressed. He encouraged her to stay active as much as she could and to drink protein shakes to help her heal. His encouragement was vital in helping my grandma and motivating her to get better. He didn't just focus on her wounds - he cared about her overall health and quality of life. As an RN myself, I truly appreciated how skilled and on top of everything he was with her wound care. Mark was also great with communication. He kept my mom consistently updated on how my grandma was doing and was always quick to follow through on anything she needed. He was prompt in sending her a list of medical equipment we needed and made sure nothing fell through the cracks. We always felt informed and supported because he communicated so clearly and regularly.

One of the most important things Mark did for our family happened shortly before my grandma passed. He called my mom and recommended that my grandma transition to hospice care. He explained his reasoning professionally, compassionately, and respectfully. Because of that call, our family was able to fly home from Hawai'i and spend time with my grandma before she passed 3 weeks later. She also got to see all her other grandchildren and great-grandchildren during that last week. That time meant everything to us, and I truly don't know if we would have had it without Mark's honesty, assessment skills, and timely communication. Mark's care made a lasting impact on our family during an incredibly difficult time. He advocated for my grandma, provided excellent nursing care, and supported us with compassion. I am so grateful for the care he gave her, and I feel strongly that he deserves recognition for the nurse he is.