Today when I walked in the ER at PVH, I saw the DAISY Award display. I picked up the brochure and began reading about this award. I was overwhelmed with emotion when I read that it is in honor of a young man who had ITP. My daughter was diagnosed at age 17 with Chronic ITP. As a parent, and what I went thru during her illness, I knew that I had to honor someone I worked with.

I observe many different situations during my work. One night a young lady came in by ambulance, very combative and restrained. She was fighting, spitting and biting her nurse. Melissa never lost her composure with this patient. She was kind, caring and very giving to her. She tried to calm her, talk to her, reason with her for hours. When the patient's mother arrived the patient had fallen asleep and was calmer, but still restrained with a facial net over her face to keep her from spitting.

I asked the team if they could remove the facial net, that I didn't think her mother should see her daughter in that kind of situation. I told Melissa we are both mothers, let us put ourselves in this situation. Melissa advocated for the patient and took off the facial net so her mother would not have to endure that kind of pain in seeing her daughter restrained and very altered.

I also observe Melissa explaining to families what is happening with their loved ones. She is caring and sympathetic, with each family member. She is helpful, compassionate, and will take that extra step in making them understand in lay terms what is going on. Her body language is genuine. Her words are from the heart. Melissa is the kind of nurse I would want if I had to come to the ER. The patients' needs always come first with her. It is an honor to know her.