I would like to nominate Paloma Salazar for the DAISY Award in recognition of her exceptional clinical skill, compassionate presence, and unwavering advocacy for both her patient and their family during a recent Rapid Response Team event. When I arrived, Paloma immediately provided a clear, concise summary of the patient's condition and her clinical concerns leading up to the call. Her calm and organized communication helped me quickly understand how best to support her and the patient in a rapidly evolving situation. It was evident she had been managing the situation with expertise and confidence well before help arrived. When the PICU team arrived, Paloma stepped back with grace to allow the physician team to present, then seamlessly stepped back in to deliver a thorough and insightful report. She shared the patient's medical history, a detailed account of the current shift, all interventions taken and their outcomes, and her own comprehensive assessment findings. Her report was not only clinically sound but also infused with the kind of attentiveness and depth that only comes from truly knowing and caring for your patient. What struck me most, though, was the moment that followed. The patient's mother, clearly anxious, tried to explain her daughter's baseline condition to the team but struggled to find the right words. Without hesitation, Paloma caught her expression, gently stepped in, and spoke with quiet confidence, articulating exactly what the mother was trying to say. In that instant, you could feel the mother exhale. She looked at Paloma not just with gratitude, but with deep trust that Paloma saw her, heard her, and had her back. It was a beautiful, unspoken moment of human connection that reminded all of us why we do this work. Paloma exemplifies everything a nurse should be: clinically sharp, compassionate, composed under pressure, and a fierce advocate for her patients and families. She is the kind of nurse Texas Children's Hospital is proud to have, because she doesn't just care for people, she cares with them. Nurses like Paloma don't just make a difference; they leave a lasting impact. I feel honored to have witnessed her in action, and even more honored to work alongside someone so deeply committed to excellence in every sense of the word.

This is Paloma's second DAISY Award!