Today, we have the privilege of recognizing an extraordinary nurse with the DAISY award - Michael Shuman. Michael received eight heartfelt nominations. Each one highlighting the same remarkable qualities: his caring nature, attentiveness, patience, professionalism, deep knowledge, and, most of all, his sincere and genuine spirit. Michael’s patients all wrote about the tremendous difference he made during their hospital stay.

One excerpt from a patient’s nomination reflects who Michael is as a nurse and as a person:

‘It is very easy—and a pleasure—to share how loving, professional, and patient Michael is. He always had kind words to help me process what I was going through, and he made me feel totally safe. I had never experienced medical anxiety before, and he made sure to calm me down, get me in bed, and tuck me in. Sometimes I would pull the covers over my head, and I’d hear the door open. Without even looking, I knew it was him—peeking in to make sure I was okay. I cannot thank him enough for taking care of me. His encouragement was priceless and helped carry me through each day.

I have the utmost respect for his gift of maintaining a calm spirit. He goes far above my expectations of what a nurse should be, giving me his full attention no matter how many interruptions came his way. I can describe Michael as ‘genuine. This is not just a job to him—his love for his patients comes first. I feel blessed and thankful to have been cared for by him. Thank you, Michael."