Robin is the type of person I look up to and strive to be like. She is not only an incredible nurse she is also an incredible human being with a heart of gold. She truly cares about people/patients and wants what is best for them.

I have had a few encounters with Robin in preop that stand out. I remember vividly how Robin went above and beyond for a homeless patient. The patient did not have any shoes and had multiple wounds on his feet. She took it upon herself as his OR nurse to run down to the ER to search for a pair of shoes for her patient. She could not find any shoes that would fit her patient, so she was going to go to Walmart and buy him a pair of shoes after her shift. She told the doctor about her plan and her generosity inspired the doctor to graciously donate his shoes to the patient since they had the same shoe size. The patient was extremely grateful to have a new pair of shoes for when he left the hospital.

Another instance was around Christmas time when Saint Mary's employees received a gift certificate to purchase clothes, beanies, or blankets with the Saint Mary's logo. Robin thought it would be a great idea for her fellow coworkers to donate their gift certificates to those in need. She ended up collecting a ton of the gift certificates and used those gift certificates to purchase clothing and blankets for the homeless.

She not only thinks about those less fortunate, but she is always thinking of ways to put her patients at ease prior to surgery. For example, she had a patient who had PTSD from having surgery as a child. The patient was terrified to go into surgery. Robin was a calming presence for that patient, and she went above and beyond to help ease the patient's anxiety. Prior to surgery, Robin went to the gift shop and purchased a stuffed animal for the patient to hold onto while in the OR. She also advocated for the patient's husband to remain at her bedside until the patient was put under anesthesia. Having Robin in the operating room with that patient helped the patient get through surgery successfully. The patient did extremely well and was very impressed with the care she received making her surgical experience so much less traumatizing than her last.

Robin exemplifies all the qualities that The DAISY Award stands for and I hope she knows how many people's lives she has positively impacted. I am honored to work with her, and I will strive to be more like Robin in and out of the hospital setting.