I was at Saint Vincent Hospital to have my prostate removed. After the surgery, my BP dropped, and I was sent to the ICU where I went into AFIB. After 3+ days I was sent to the Heart Floor. There I met Nicholas Piazza. I soon learned from other nurses that Nick was also suffering from an ailment of his own.
Nick noticed that I was reading a book about the Marines fighting in WWII in the South Pacific. Nick said that his father was a Marine and I said that I was in the "Gator Navy" as we were the landing craft operations (amphibious) who delivered the marines to the beach.
I asked Nick if his father ever told him what the Marines battle cry "GUNG-HO" stood for? Nick said no, and I told him that it was an old Chinese term which means "work together." So, from the time I spent in that room, Nick and I became a "Gung Ho Team."
I have never in my 70+ years of life received the compassion and care from a medical professional like Nick gave me in that terrible week as I was recovering. As well as being sure to take great care of his other patients on the floor, battling his own illness; and caring for his young family at home, all at the same time.
Nick Piazza is most certainly deserving of the DAISY Award.