June 2026 Honoree
Nicole Parra Navarro 2, RN
My father underwent major open-heart surgery, and during one of the most difficult moments of his recovery, this nurse made an extraordinary difference in his life and in our family’s lives. She cared for him with incredible compassion, patience, and determination. She didn’t just perform her duties—she believed in him when he struggled to believe in himself.
One of the things that touched us the most was how she would gently massage and pat his back to help loosen his secretions so he could cough more effectively. She understood how painful coughing was after open-heart surgery, yet she encouraged him with kindness and helped him through every step, making him feel safe and cared for.
She was constantly checking on him and always asked whether he was in pain or uncomfortable. Every time my father mentioned a new symptom or concern, she took it seriously. She never dismissed or ignored anything he said. Instead, she assessed him carefully, contacted the physician when appropriate, and advocated for what he needed.
When my father’s eyes were burning and irritated, she made sure eye drops were ordered to relieve his discomfort. When his secretions became difficult to clear, she obtained an order for Mucinex to help loosen them and make it easier for him to cough. Her attentiveness and willingness to act made us feel that my father was truly being heard and cared for.
On the third day after surgery, my father’s blood pressure was still low, and physical therapy had not yet been able to get him walking. Instead of giving up, she believed he was stronger than he thought. She gave him the confidence to stand up and take those first steps. She stayed by his side, encouraging him every step of the way.
To make the experience even more meaningful, she played Albanian music from her phone while they walked, since my father does not speak English. That simple but thoughtful gesture brought him comfort, familiarity, and motivation during one of the hardest days of his recovery.
What made her exceptional was not only her clinical skills, but the way she combined them with genuine compassion. She treated my father not just as a patient, but as a person deserving of dignity, encouragement, and hope. She listened, advocated, comforted, motivated, and never stopped believing in his ability to recover.
Our family will never forget the impact she had during one of the hardest times in our lives. She truly embodies the values of the DAISY Award, and we are deeply grateful for the exceptional care she provided to my father.
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This is Nicole's 2nd DAISY Award!
One of the things that touched us the most was how she would gently massage and pat his back to help loosen his secretions so he could cough more effectively. She understood how painful coughing was after open-heart surgery, yet she encouraged him with kindness and helped him through every step, making him feel safe and cared for.
She was constantly checking on him and always asked whether he was in pain or uncomfortable. Every time my father mentioned a new symptom or concern, she took it seriously. She never dismissed or ignored anything he said. Instead, she assessed him carefully, contacted the physician when appropriate, and advocated for what he needed.
When my father’s eyes were burning and irritated, she made sure eye drops were ordered to relieve his discomfort. When his secretions became difficult to clear, she obtained an order for Mucinex to help loosen them and make it easier for him to cough. Her attentiveness and willingness to act made us feel that my father was truly being heard and cared for.
On the third day after surgery, my father’s blood pressure was still low, and physical therapy had not yet been able to get him walking. Instead of giving up, she believed he was stronger than he thought. She gave him the confidence to stand up and take those first steps. She stayed by his side, encouraging him every step of the way.
To make the experience even more meaningful, she played Albanian music from her phone while they walked, since my father does not speak English. That simple but thoughtful gesture brought him comfort, familiarity, and motivation during one of the hardest days of his recovery.
What made her exceptional was not only her clinical skills, but the way she combined them with genuine compassion. She treated my father not just as a patient, but as a person deserving of dignity, encouragement, and hope. She listened, advocated, comforted, motivated, and never stopped believing in his ability to recover.
Our family will never forget the impact she had during one of the hardest times in our lives. She truly embodies the values of the DAISY Award, and we are deeply grateful for the exceptional care she provided to my father.
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This is Nicole's 2nd DAISY Award!
Thank you, Nicole Parra, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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