I want to nominate Odessa Blackwell for the DAISY Award in Memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died from ITP (autoimmune disease). I also live with this disease. I want to say thank you, Odessa, for being you.  You have been a marvelous nurse, an intriguing nurse, a phenomenal nurse, and a remarkable nurse. You provide knowledge and safety. Nurse Odessa showed her expertise in any interaction with my disease, along with my other medical additions. Her communication skills are clear, concise, organized, and neat. This type of encouragement totally encouraged me to engage more simply within myself. Odessa was on point with the time frame. Every day, she did the same thing at the same time. This taught me to be more organized with my medical giving skills, bathroom timing skills, bathing skills, and walking exercises. Odessa was a nurse who cared for her patients. We call this being on point. She would come to work, and when I saw her, the lights lit up in the room, and I looked, and it was an angel (Odessa). I knew I had to get it together. Odessa would say what our program from the night was and attach it with times.

She looked at me like she was a big sister. The sister that I never had, but I took her into my heart and would never leave her. She has a lovely heart, and I will never forget her. Odessa is very thorough and would help someone, even if they are not a patient. I would wait for her to come to my room because even if she is not my nurse, I think about her taking care of me. Amazing and awesome. She takes her job seriously. It is a blessing to have her on board. Odessa needs to take a break. Call on Odessa, and she will be there. She gets me “Up and at 'em.” We are walking, resting, eating, toileting, encouraging me to go further walking.  Patients who have not had the chance to meet Odessa are missing out on an opportunity that you will never forget. Her smile creates a great feeling of joy. The serious look means “don’t play with me.” Let's great ready for the evening, med distribution, lets walk, sit and rest, use the potty, exercise again lol.

Time is running out! Odessa is a wonderful nurse and I am so glad that I am going to be transferred to a SNF. I wish I could take her with me. I hope and pray whoever reads this will truly understand that Odessa is a true nurse. 

My family and I would like to say we wouldn’t trade you for the world.

We love Odessa!

Note: This is Odessa's 2nd DAISY Award!