I would like to submit Sara Via for the DAISY Award. While it is impossible to capture in words how impactful her compassion and care were to me and my family, below is my best attempt. I remember arriving at the ER, but then don't remember much of anything for about 8 days, as I was admitted into the COVID ICU with severe COVID19 double pneumonia. Later I learned from my wife that during this time Sara communicated with me with the utmost honesty and professionalism. She was my voice of reason and helped me make the most difficult decision of my life, to go on the ventilator, communicating that it had to happen to give my body a chance to heal if I wanted to live. This was not an easy decision for me, even in my state of mind. She was the last person I remember hearing, holding my hand as I slipped into sedation, scared and crying. One of the only things I remember was telling her all I wanted was to make it home to my girls, and her promising me that she would do everything she could to get me home to them.

As I came off intubation, she was there, holding my hand and her voice comforting me. She was the first person I remember hearing and later seeing. While I was intubated, Sara worked with my family to make me a 'Build a Bear' type stuffed animal with a voice recording of my wife, two daughters, and family. For days after I came off intubation my physical and mental capabilities were severely reduced and my motor skills were too weak to even remember the bear much less to be able to squeeze it. Each time she came into my room she squeezed the bear for me, my memory was still so bad that each time she did simply hearing my girls' voice shocked and surprised me, literally bringing me to tears.

As I came down off the medication I had no idea where I was or what was going on. I was scared and I was lonely. While other nurses and doctors were also there and caring, Sara was my guiding light, she was my angel! The level of care and compassion that she demonstrated to me on a daily basis was what pulled me through. Her smile, kind words, and caring actions reminded me of my wife. Her heartfelt compassion and actions comforted me and gave me purpose. Her honesty and communication kept me guided and focused on doing what I needed to do to get better, at a time when it would have been so easy to give up. She communicated regularly with my wife and mother via phone throughout the time I was intubated and while I was unable to talk to them, this action alone meant the world to me, keeping them informed since they were not able to visit helped ease their stress as much as that was possible.

As I mentioned, it is impossible to put into words how much her actions, care, compassion, and personality meant to my family and me during the scariest and most difficult time in my life. Sara's actions and willingness to do the little things directly improved my morale, as well as my physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Bottom line, I would not be alive and here today to write this letter if it weren't for Sara's direct actions. She is my angel and a gift from God! She is such an amazing woman and a special gift to humanity! My family and I cannot thank her enough. 

Note: This is Sara's 3rd DAISY Award!