August 2026 Honoree
Mary Ellen Lakis, RN
I am honored to nominate Mary Ellen, ICU Nurse at Penn Medicine Chester County Hospital, for a DAISY Award in recognition of the extraordinary compassion, advocacy, clinical excellence, and humanity she showed while caring for my grandfather in his final days.
My grandfather was our family's beloved patriarch. During his ICU stay, our family faced some of the most difficult decisions we have ever encountered, including the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment. Throughout this journey, Mary Ellen provided nursing care that went far beyond her clinical responsibilities. She cared not only for my grandfather's medical needs but also for his emotional, spiritual, and personal well-being, while simultaneously supporting those of us who loved him.
One of the most meaningful things Mary Ellen did was help my grandfather maintain his ability to communicate after he lost his voice due to mechanical ventilation. For a man who had never struggled to express himself a day in his life, suddenly being unable to speak was frustrating, frightening, and isolating. Mary Ellen never gave up trying to understand what he wanted to say. She worked alongside our family using communication boards, pen and paper, pointing, gestures, and yes-or-no questions. She was remarkably patient and intuitive, taking the time to decipher his needs, concerns, and wishes when others might have become rushed or frustrated. Through her persistence and compassion, she restored a sense of control and dignity to a man who could no longer speak for himself.
Just as importantly, Mary Ellen had a gift for explaining complex medical situations in simple, understandable terms. She ensured my grandfather understood what was happening to him and helped our family navigate incredibly difficult decisions with honesty, clarity, and kindness. In moments filled with uncertainty and fear, she made certain that everyone felt informed, heard, and respected.
On the day my grandfather's ventilator was withdrawn, Mary Ellen became far more than his nurse. She became a source of comfort and strength for our entire family. She recognized when difficult conversations were becoming stressful for him and skillfully balanced honoring his wishes with ensuring he had meaningful time with loved ones and the opportunity to rest. She spoke to him not simply as a patient, but as a person—as someone's father, grandfather, and friend.
I will never forget watching her hold his hand and ask him whether he was afraid. She asked if he would like to see a chaplain and personally ensured that spiritual support was arranged. In those moments, she provided not only medical care but also comfort, dignity, and peace.
Because of Mary Ellen's compassion and advocacy, my grandfather spent his final days surrounded by his children and grandchildren. He could hear our voices, feel our presence, and know how deeply he was loved. When his body could no longer continue the fight, he was allowed to transition peacefully, comfortably, and with dignity.
On the day he passed, a hospital chaplain visited our family, prayed with both my grandfather and me, and brought a sense of calm and grace to one of the most difficult days of our lives. I believe that experience was possible because Mary Ellen recognized that caring for a patient means caring for the whole person—body, mind, and spirit.
As a nurse myself, I recognize how exceptional her care truly was. Mary Ellen embodied the very best qualities of the nursing profession: compassion, advocacy, integrity, clinical excellence, and humanity. She demonstrated that even when a cure is no longer possible, healing can still occur through presence, kindness, respect, and genuine human connection.
My grandfather passed peacefully, surrounded by family. While our hearts are broken by his loss, we find tremendous comfort in knowing that he spent his final days in the care of a nurse who treated him as if he were her own family member.
Mary Ellen's kindness, compassion, and extraordinary nursing care will remain with us forever. With deep gratitude and wholehearted enthusiasm, I nominate her for the DAISY Award.
My grandfather was our family's beloved patriarch. During his ICU stay, our family faced some of the most difficult decisions we have ever encountered, including the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment. Throughout this journey, Mary Ellen provided nursing care that went far beyond her clinical responsibilities. She cared not only for my grandfather's medical needs but also for his emotional, spiritual, and personal well-being, while simultaneously supporting those of us who loved him.
One of the most meaningful things Mary Ellen did was help my grandfather maintain his ability to communicate after he lost his voice due to mechanical ventilation. For a man who had never struggled to express himself a day in his life, suddenly being unable to speak was frustrating, frightening, and isolating. Mary Ellen never gave up trying to understand what he wanted to say. She worked alongside our family using communication boards, pen and paper, pointing, gestures, and yes-or-no questions. She was remarkably patient and intuitive, taking the time to decipher his needs, concerns, and wishes when others might have become rushed or frustrated. Through her persistence and compassion, she restored a sense of control and dignity to a man who could no longer speak for himself.
Just as importantly, Mary Ellen had a gift for explaining complex medical situations in simple, understandable terms. She ensured my grandfather understood what was happening to him and helped our family navigate incredibly difficult decisions with honesty, clarity, and kindness. In moments filled with uncertainty and fear, she made certain that everyone felt informed, heard, and respected.
On the day my grandfather's ventilator was withdrawn, Mary Ellen became far more than his nurse. She became a source of comfort and strength for our entire family. She recognized when difficult conversations were becoming stressful for him and skillfully balanced honoring his wishes with ensuring he had meaningful time with loved ones and the opportunity to rest. She spoke to him not simply as a patient, but as a person—as someone's father, grandfather, and friend.
I will never forget watching her hold his hand and ask him whether he was afraid. She asked if he would like to see a chaplain and personally ensured that spiritual support was arranged. In those moments, she provided not only medical care but also comfort, dignity, and peace.
Because of Mary Ellen's compassion and advocacy, my grandfather spent his final days surrounded by his children and grandchildren. He could hear our voices, feel our presence, and know how deeply he was loved. When his body could no longer continue the fight, he was allowed to transition peacefully, comfortably, and with dignity.
On the day he passed, a hospital chaplain visited our family, prayed with both my grandfather and me, and brought a sense of calm and grace to one of the most difficult days of our lives. I believe that experience was possible because Mary Ellen recognized that caring for a patient means caring for the whole person—body, mind, and spirit.
As a nurse myself, I recognize how exceptional her care truly was. Mary Ellen embodied the very best qualities of the nursing profession: compassion, advocacy, integrity, clinical excellence, and humanity. She demonstrated that even when a cure is no longer possible, healing can still occur through presence, kindness, respect, and genuine human connection.
My grandfather passed peacefully, surrounded by family. While our hearts are broken by his loss, we find tremendous comfort in knowing that he spent his final days in the care of a nurse who treated him as if he were her own family member.
Mary Ellen's kindness, compassion, and extraordinary nursing care will remain with us forever. With deep gratitude and wholehearted enthusiasm, I nominate her for the DAISY Award.
Thank you, Mary Ellen, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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