I am writing to nominate Samuel Khrapov from 5 East for the DAISY Award, as words cannot fully capture the gratitude my family and I feel for his exceptional care and compassion during my stay at Kaiser Permanente in Vallejo. Samuel made a significant difference in my experience as a patient, and I am deeply grateful for everything that he did. He exemplifies what it means to be a compassionate, dedicated, and extraordinary nurse and truly deserves recognition. It was clear that he not only has incredible clinical skills for his professionalism but also embodies true compassion, empathy, dedication, and exceptional care for his patients.

When I was first admitted to Kaiser on a Saturday, I was overwhelmed with anxiety and fear about my illness. Although I was given some answers, I still had many questions yet to ask. Samuel became my nurse on my second day of being admitted to Kaiser. From the moment he walked into my room, introduced himself, and let me know that it was time to go to my CT and MRI test, I knew I was in good hands. What truly sets Samuel apart is his ability to create a sense of calmness in the midst of uncertainty. He made me feel safe, reassured, comfortable, and genuinely cared for. He would consistently take the time to listen to my concerns and answer any questions I had, no matter how small the question was, regarding my illness and treatment plans, in a way that was both informative and reassuring. His calm and caring demeanor immediately put me at ease, even when I was feeling at my worst.

An example of this would be when he explained to me in more detail what my CT and MRI scans would consist of and what the doctors would be looking for in the results. This made a significant difference in how I felt about my care. One of the most memorable moments that stood out during my stay at Kaiser and being under Samuel’s care was his genuine compassion and empathy. Samuel made me feel like I wasn’t just another patient but a person who mattered. He made sure that not only my patient needs were met but also my family's needs were met by keeping us informed and comforted throughout my stay and the treatments I was receiving. He went above and beyond for my family, who were just as naturally anxious and scared as I was about my illness. Samuel would take his time to update my family regularly when they visited me about how I was improving and what the next step was. He would even find small ways to not only make them feel at ease but he would answer any of their questions with detail and kindness.

What also stood out to us was when he went out of his way to further explain in detail the illness I have. We weren’t as familiar with what meningitis is all about. We just knew the basics and the symptoms that come with it. Samuel explained to us how meningitis can affect the brain and how it's an infection of the meninges, as well as the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. He also gave us knowledge in the event of a more serious case of meningitis and what permanent damage meningitis can cause. My family was anxious about my recovery, but Samuel reassured them with his warmth, attentiveness, and expert knowledge. He not only cared about me as a patient but also cared deeply about the well-being of my family by giving them the reassurance that there was a light at the end of the tunnel and making us feel at ease that we were not alone during my recovery.

The extra care and attention meant a lot to me as a patient, and it is something that my family and I continue to talk about. It is truly remarkable. On more than one occasion, Samuel would always brighten my family and I by telling us silly jokes and trying to distract our mind for a while from what I was going through. In every interaction, Samuel displayed extraordinary compassion, skill, and dedication. He truly embodies and is a shining example of what nursing should be all about. I feel incredibly lucky to have been under his care. Thank you, Samuel. My family and I are and will forever be grateful for the comfort, reassurance, and positive impact you provided us with during such a vulnerable time in our lives during my path to recovery from meningitis.

For all these reasons and more, I wholeheartedly believe that Samuel Khrapov demonstrates the qualities that the DAISY Award seeks to recognize. Samuel has shown compassion, excellence in patient care, and a dedication to making a difference in the lives of others and patients.