I would like to recognize Nurse Modesta because she embodies the heart of nursing: compassion, skill, and a genuine commitment to her patients. I know how hard it is to balance clinical excellence with genuine empathy, but she does it effortlessly.

I was admitted to Eden Hospital for a small bowel obstruction and needed an NG tube. From the moment she took care of me, she demonstrated remarkable attentiveness. She immediately noticed that the suction was set too high and corrected it, ensuring my safety and comfort. That small but critical action showed her unwavering dedication to patient care. I needed an IV line for pain and nausea control, but I am notoriously difficult to stick, yet she placed mine gently and smoothly when not even an ultrasound machine could. Miraculously, that IV lasted until discharge.

Before her shift ended, she taught me about bedside reporting so I would feel prepared for the next team. She even brought me warm blankets, offered to shampoo my hair, and treated me with a kindness that went far beyond clinical care. Even on the day she wasn't my assigned nurse, she stopped by and, with a gentle touch, made me feel truly seen, comforted, and cared for.

Her presence brings joy and positivity to the entire unit. When she arrived for her shift, I watched coworkers from the previous shift greet her with hugs and excitement, something I had never seen before. Even her charge nurse proudly covered her break so she could continue caring for patients without interruption. Her compassion inspires everyone around her.

Most nurses assigned to my care were great, but Nurse Modesta reminded me what true nursing is: combining expertise with empathy, knowledge with heart. Her care turned a frightening, uncomfortable hospitalization into an experience of safety, dignity, and warmth. I will never forget her, and I can think of no one more deserving of the DAISY Award.