Riley Church
February 2026
Riley
Church
,
RN
PICU
East Tennessee Children's Hospital
Knoxville
,
TN
United States
He didn’t just provide medical care; he created a sense of safety and warmth in an environment that can feel overwhelming and frightening for a young child and their parent.
My 5-year-old son was admitted to the PICU after a sudden onset of status seizures and remained there for 10 long, emotional days of monitoring and treatment. As his mom, I never left his side for a single moment during our stay. I was there through every tear, every scary procedure, every moment of uncertainty, and every small victory. There were many times when both he and I were overwhelmed, exhausted, and afraid. Because I was present for it all, I witnessed firsthand the extraordinary compassion, patience, and dedication Riley brought not only to my son’s care but to our entire experience during one of the most terrifying times of our lives.
Riley was initially my son's assigned nurse for one day — but from that moment on, Riley became the person he trusted most. Even on days he was not assigned to him, Riley made a point to stop by, check on him, and offer comfort. He quite literally held his hand through every finger prick, blood draw, IV insertion, and the many EEGs he had to endure. During moments when he was scared or in tears — and when I was fighting back my own — Riley’s calm presence and genuine kindness helped steady both of us. He didn’t just provide medical care; he created a sense of safety and warmth in an environment that can feel overwhelming and frightening for a young child and their parent.
While we were already in the middle of this medical crisis, my son was newly placed on a strict ketogenic diet to help manage his seizures — something completely new and overwhelming for both of us to learn while navigating everything else happening around us. Combined with the multiple medications he required, even simple treatments were often challenging and stressful. Riley showed incredible creativity and compassion by finding ways to make medication time less intimidating and more manageable. He encouraged him constantly and even turned those difficult moments into something empowering — making him feel like a superhero for being brave and strong while we were all learning how to handle this new reality together.
Because of my son's new diet, there were times I had to step away briefly to eat or drink since I could not do so in front of him. During those short breaks, Riley didn’t simply monitor him — he actively played with him, kept him engaged, and made sure he felt supported and happy while I was gone. Knowing my son was not just watched but genuinely cared for during those few minutes allowed me to take care of myself without worry.
My son was not a typical PICU patient. While he needed constant monitoring for mostly subclinical seizures, he was still a rambunctious, energetic 5-year-old who needed attention, patience, and understanding in a very confined and stressful environment. During our stay, we had other nurses before Riley was assigned to him. Every nurse who cared for him worked hard and provided good care, and I am grateful for each of them. However, as a mom who never left his bedside, I could see how much extra energy and creativity it took to keep up with his unique needs. I often worried about how we would make it through the remainder of our stay because of how demanding his care could be. When Riley became our nurse, it felt different — his ability to connect with my son and meet his physical and emotional needs seemed effortless and natural. Not once did I feel that Riley was frustrated or overwhelmed by his energy or needs. Instead, Riley embraced who he was and found thoughtful ways to help him cope with the long days when the hospital walls felt like they were closing in.
One of the most meaningful examples was when Riley arranged for a wagon so he could cruise the halls when he wasn’t hooked up to EEG monitoring. That simple act preserved a sense of normal childhood and brought genuine joy during an incredibly difficult time — and it truly helped keep us both sane.
Riley’s compassion extended beyond assigned duties. When my son was transferred to another floor, Riley took time out of his day to come down and check on him personally and say goodbye. That moment showed us how deeply he truly cares for his patients and the lasting connections he builds with families.
The PICU is not a place any parent wants their child to stay long term, and those 10 days were filled with fear, exhaustion, and many tears. But because of Riley, there were also moments of laughter, comfort, and genuine human connection that we will never forget. Our experience would have been completely different without him.
Riley exemplifies what it means to provide extraordinary, compassionate nursing care, and we will forever be grateful for the profound and lasting impression he made on my son and on me as a mother who witnessed his kindness every step of the way. For the compassion he showed, the comfort he provided during our darkest moments, and the lasting difference he made in my child’s life, I wholeheartedly and without hesitation nominate Riley for a DAISY Award — because nurses like him are exactly what this honor was created to recognize.
Riley was initially my son's assigned nurse for one day — but from that moment on, Riley became the person he trusted most. Even on days he was not assigned to him, Riley made a point to stop by, check on him, and offer comfort. He quite literally held his hand through every finger prick, blood draw, IV insertion, and the many EEGs he had to endure. During moments when he was scared or in tears — and when I was fighting back my own — Riley’s calm presence and genuine kindness helped steady both of us. He didn’t just provide medical care; he created a sense of safety and warmth in an environment that can feel overwhelming and frightening for a young child and their parent.
While we were already in the middle of this medical crisis, my son was newly placed on a strict ketogenic diet to help manage his seizures — something completely new and overwhelming for both of us to learn while navigating everything else happening around us. Combined with the multiple medications he required, even simple treatments were often challenging and stressful. Riley showed incredible creativity and compassion by finding ways to make medication time less intimidating and more manageable. He encouraged him constantly and even turned those difficult moments into something empowering — making him feel like a superhero for being brave and strong while we were all learning how to handle this new reality together.
Because of my son's new diet, there were times I had to step away briefly to eat or drink since I could not do so in front of him. During those short breaks, Riley didn’t simply monitor him — he actively played with him, kept him engaged, and made sure he felt supported and happy while I was gone. Knowing my son was not just watched but genuinely cared for during those few minutes allowed me to take care of myself without worry.
My son was not a typical PICU patient. While he needed constant monitoring for mostly subclinical seizures, he was still a rambunctious, energetic 5-year-old who needed attention, patience, and understanding in a very confined and stressful environment. During our stay, we had other nurses before Riley was assigned to him. Every nurse who cared for him worked hard and provided good care, and I am grateful for each of them. However, as a mom who never left his bedside, I could see how much extra energy and creativity it took to keep up with his unique needs. I often worried about how we would make it through the remainder of our stay because of how demanding his care could be. When Riley became our nurse, it felt different — his ability to connect with my son and meet his physical and emotional needs seemed effortless and natural. Not once did I feel that Riley was frustrated or overwhelmed by his energy or needs. Instead, Riley embraced who he was and found thoughtful ways to help him cope with the long days when the hospital walls felt like they were closing in.
One of the most meaningful examples was when Riley arranged for a wagon so he could cruise the halls when he wasn’t hooked up to EEG monitoring. That simple act preserved a sense of normal childhood and brought genuine joy during an incredibly difficult time — and it truly helped keep us both sane.
Riley’s compassion extended beyond assigned duties. When my son was transferred to another floor, Riley took time out of his day to come down and check on him personally and say goodbye. That moment showed us how deeply he truly cares for his patients and the lasting connections he builds with families.
The PICU is not a place any parent wants their child to stay long term, and those 10 days were filled with fear, exhaustion, and many tears. But because of Riley, there were also moments of laughter, comfort, and genuine human connection that we will never forget. Our experience would have been completely different without him.
Riley exemplifies what it means to provide extraordinary, compassionate nursing care, and we will forever be grateful for the profound and lasting impression he made on my son and on me as a mother who witnessed his kindness every step of the way. For the compassion he showed, the comfort he provided during our darkest moments, and the lasting difference he made in my child’s life, I wholeheartedly and without hesitation nominate Riley for a DAISY Award — because nurses like him are exactly what this honor was created to recognize.