In our unit, we have had a patient, Mr. M, for several weeks following complications from his surgery. Michelle took care of Mr. M most of the days that she worked and developed a personal relationship with him. After several weeks of being in the ICU without being able to eat, drink, or walk, Mr. M became very depressed and hopeless.

Michelle took the initiative to move Mr. M into a different room with a "window view" of the lake behind the hospital and where he could watch the sunrise each morning. This effort cheered the patient up!

After another week went by, Michelle was taking care of him again. Being still in the ICU and only making a little progression, Mr. M was still having a difficult time coping. On this particular day, Michelle decided to take Mr. M outside.

With patients being so sick in our unit, this is never done because it takes a lot of coordinating of different disciplines as well as time to make this process happen safely.

Michelle took Mr. M outside to sit in the hospital's healing garden. The patient said he was so happy just to be outside and have some fresh air.

Michelle puts this time, effort, and patience into each patient and family that she cares for. She is such an inspiration to all of us and, for this reason I am nominating her for the DAISY Award.