Paula was my nurse in the ED. I was very sick, very stubborn, very scared and in a lot of pain. Paula immediately realized the seriousness of my condition and very quickly and efficiently organized her resources to get me seen and comfortable enough to be examined. She never rushed. She took the time to listen to my very complicated history. She explained every test and procedure and was very empathetic. She advocated for pain medicine and encouraged relaxation techniques. She was very personable which helped distract me from the agony I was experiencing at the time. Her voice was very calm and reassuring. She offered to call family or friends to be with me, but perhaps the most important thing she did was simply stay with me when the pain was intense even though she had many other patients to take care of. She held my hand and wiped away my tears when I thought my insides were going to explode. She is a true healthcare hero and I am proud to recommend her for the DAISY Award.