I am writing to nominate nurse Randy for the DAISY Award in recognition of his extraordinary skill, compassion, and dedication to his patients. Randy’s care went far beyond medical responsibilities – he provided hope, encouragement, and motivation during one of the most difficult journeys of my life.

I spent 52 days in the hospital due to severe diverticulitis and complications from infections. Those were long, painful days filled with uncertainty, and yet Randy always found a way to lift my spirits. He brought creativity and kindness into my room, reminding me that I was not fighting alone.

Randy made me a card filled with encouragement, using boxing analogies to frame my recovery as a 12-round fight. On the whiteboard in my room, he created a “round count”, labeling stages of my recovery as a new round in the fight. I would look forward to checking off another round, motivated to keep going no matter how tired or discouraged I felt.

What could have been a dark, isolating experience became manageable because of Randy’s relentless positivity and personal touch. The boxing theme gave me something tangible to fight toward, and it reframed my hospital stay as a battle I was capable of winning. When I was finally discharged, the very last thing I did before leaving my room was cross off “Round 12”. That moment was powerful, symbolic, and unforgettable – all because Randy invested the time and thoughtfulness to keep me motivated.

Randy is not only a skilled nurse but also a true healer of the human spirit. His compassion, creativity, and willingness to go above and beyond made a lasting impact on me and my family.