I nominate my co-worker, Robert Pramono, for his exemplary care for a complex patient whose stay on our unit exceeded two months.

This patient needed an emergent implantation of an artificial heart, a device which had never been used at Froedtert before. In order to care for this patient, a few nurses volunteered to receive hours of training within a very short timeframe. Robert, being the most senior nurse on our shift, did not hesitate to take on the challenge of learning the new device. Every other week he provided care for this patient who was by far the most acutely ill patient on the floor. In addition her physical needs, Robert provided emotional support as she faced ups and downs while anxiously waiting for a heart transplant to come.

In an effort to brighten the patient's spirits, Robert brought in supplies from home to give the patient manicures. The patient also requested that he be the only person to wash her hair due to his delicate touch and attention to detail. Robert made every effort to provide this patient with a sense of normalcy, which is hard for a person who has been living in a hospital for over five months and connected to a 400 pound machine called "big blue."

The extraordinary care shown by Robert exemplifies the criteria for the DAISY Award: clinical skill, compassionate care, exemplary service, and commitment to excellence.