My father was a patient at Hunterdon on 3W. We had the privilege of experiencing firsthand the exceptional care provided by Megan Bill during his hospitalization. My father was diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic lung cancer. Over the past 4 years, he underwent stereotactic radiation treatments, 4 years of chemotherapy, lumpectomy, countless MRI and CAT scans, and two previous hospitalizations for chemotoxicity. I believe my father knew this hospitalization was different. He was not improving, and due to the complexity of his condition, he made the decision to accept comfort care measures, and his wish was to go home on Hospice care. Megan was his nurse on the first day. From the moment she walked into his room, her warm smile and genuine concern immediately put him at ease.

She took time to listen, answered all of our questions, and if she didn't know, she demonstrated confidence that she would find the right people to get the answers for us.

She was an excellent advocate for my father and made sure we were informed throughout his stay, whether it was a medication change, a new test that was ordered, or the results of those tests. I can remember on the second morning, my father specifically asked me if Megan would be his nurse that day. He said she was so sweet and "really knew her stuff." What truly sets Megan apart, in my opinion, is her level of compassion and empathy. Not only did she attend to my father's physical needs with skill and expertise, but she also took time to understand the emotional aspects of his illness. Megan took the time to listen to my concerns as my father's primary caregiver and also advocated on my behalf when I had questions about changes to his care or needed to speak with a member of the team. Whether it was staying late to provide additional support or advocating on my behalf to ensure that my father received the best possible care, she consistently went above and beyond the call of duty.

As a nurse, I believe in mentoring and fostering growth and development in the next generation of nurses. Megan demonstrated the core values of Hunterdon and embodies the qualities of an exemplary nurse, compassionate, competent, and dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of her patients. Her impact extends far beyond the walls of this hospital, touching the hearts of all those fortunate enough to be under her care. For these reasons and many more, I wholeheartedly nominate Megan Bill for the DAISY Award. She is truly deserving of this honor, and I am grateful for the opportunity to recognize her exceptional contributions to nursing.