Merrill Walker, BSN, RN, PCCN

I am nominating Merrill Walker for the DAISY Award for her exceptional care during my months on J7 waiting for a double organ transplant. Merrill is one of the kindest and most compassionate nurses I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. She goes out of her way to advocate for her patients and enhance their hospital experience.

For example, during Thanksgiving, I was excited to spend time with my family. Still, I was also upset that we couldn’t have our traditional family dinner due to limited space in the hospital. The cafeteria was expected to be crowded, and eating in my hospital room felt depressing, lacking the festive spirit. When I shared my concerns with Merrill, she went above and beyond to ensure we could have a special meal together. She helped us book a private conference room on the floor, allowing us to eat in a more comfortable setting.

Merrill didn’t stop there; she brought in her own table decorations from home, including festive tablecloths and centerpieces, and instructed her colleagues on how to set up the room. When my family arrived with our Thanksgiving leftovers, the table was beautifully decorated, making it feel like we were at home rather than in a hospital conference room. This simple act provided a much-needed sense of normalcy during my hospital stay, and my family and I truly appreciated Merrill for making our Thanksgiving memorable.

Merrill is also calm and level-headed in emergencies. A few weeks ago, I had an unexpected reaction to a medication I had taken before, and her composed demeanor helped prevent me from panicking.

In addition to caring for her primary patients, Merrill actively advocates for everyone on the floor. I have witnessed her checking in on other patients and helping her team members whenever needed. I truly appreciate knowing that Merrill is always looking out for me, even when she is not my primary nurse.