When I think of a nurse that truly exemplifies the mission and values of UCHealth, few compare to Wesley (Randall) Steinmetz. His ability to connect and empathize with patients is infectious and inspirational, especially for someone so new in their nursing career. Wesley treats each patient like family. He is kind, courteous, and compassionate even in the most stressful of settings. I am proud and honored to work alongside him, and would want him to care for any one of my family members. I would like to take a minute to share two stories with you about Wesley that have touched me and exemplify the care he provides. While still on orientation, Wesley helped care for a patient with a complex medical history. The patient was bedbound, unable to communicate verbally, living at a facility that may not have been providing the best care, and was subject to scrutiny. Wesley recognized this patient as a human first and that while he could not communicate verbally, he still heard and understood all that was going on around him. Wesley showed empathy and compassion and stood up to his colleagues who had momentarily lost sight of our mission and values. As a new grad on orientation, he advocated for the patient. He addressed his peers and asked that they reflect on their thoughts before speaking and to be mindful of how harmful words can be. I can honestly say I have never seen a new grad with as much situational awareness and innate ability to navigate such a situation. The second story is best told by our charge nurse, who observed firsthand Wesley’s ability to connect with patients. She writes: “A few days ago, a manic patient came into the ED, and I thought, "here we go again." The patient was agitated, pacing, yelling expletives, and threatening to harm anyone that came into contact with her. This is a scenario I have seen play out probably hundreds of times during my career in the ED. 99% of the time, it goes like this: The patient is aggressive and agitated, and staff may make some attempts at concessions or bargaining with the patient to try to get them to do what we want them to do (stop yelling, give us a urine sample, change into green scrubs, etc.). After these perfunctory formalities, staff throws up their hands, calls "Code BERT" overhead and half a dozen security guards put their hands on the patient at once to physically subdue them while two nurses prepare two injections to administer, come at the patient with a needle in hand, jab them with chemically restraining medication, and then restrain all four limbs to the bed while the patient screams and cries until the medication takes effect. It sounds barbaric if you are describing it to someone, I realize as I write this, but unfortunately, it is an almost daily occurrence in our ED. We are regularly verbally and physically assaulted by patients, and we have to try to keep ourselves and our co-workers safe. We grow desensitized to these behaviors, and much like any other emergency situation, we know what to do, and we do it. One day, Wesley Steinmetz, one of our newer nurses, demonstrated that this story can have a different ending. A young woman was in a state of mania and came to the ED for the 2nd time that day. During her first stay that day, the old familiar scenario played out as I described. She was a Code Bert, and her visit to us ended with a security escort to the property line because she was so uncooperative and aggressive. She came back voluntarily, clearly realizing that she needed help. The wheels were in motion for her second visit to become a repeat of her first. But this time, Wesley was her nurse. While she raged, Wesley explained everything that he was doing as calmly and as gently as if this were his own grandmother. He listened to her. He validated her feelings, and he reassured her. He distracted her with stories. He talked to her about tattoos and described one that he would like to get. He basically insisted on treating her like a human being despite her erratic behavior. This had such a calming effect on this patient. Although she remained anxious, and her verbal outbursts didn't completely stop, she didn't end up with security guards holding her down. She was able to agree to the injections she knew deep down she needed and allowed another nurse to give them as Wesley continued to soothe her. She was soon able to sleep. The compassionate care Wesley demonstrated that day made me remember that that was the kind of nurse I thought I was going to be when I was in nursing school. Wesley is a true diamond in the rough, and I know he will be teaching us all lessons like this throughout his long nursing career.” It is based on these stories, and many others just like them, that I would like to nominate Wesley for a DAISY Award. He is an amazing nurse and will probably say that he is just doing his job. However, he truly is one of a kind and deserves to be recognized for his compassion, positivity, and ability to connect with patients.