I have had the privilege of being Sara’s patient since the first day the infusion center moved from the fourth to the fifth floor of Prentice Women’s Hospital. I wanted to stop and take the time to nominate Sara for this prestigious award because she has made such a huge impact on my physical and emotional health. 

Sara is a kind, compassionate, and exceptionally skilled nurse who exemplifies professionalism and goes the extra mile for her patients. The first time she gave me care, the infusion center was packed with patients. Even though she was unsure where everything was, Sara made light of it and took the time to orient my partner and me to the new unit. She did so with great humor, which put us immediately at ease. We asked for special equipment and told her we understood if she could not fulfill our request. Instead, she provided the equipment as if it were her pleasure and responsibility to do so. 

Sara has a complete understanding of her patient’s medical record. Taking into account my health history, disease presentation, and my labs and CT scans, she routinely counsels me on the importance of a good diet, stress reduction, and the importance of taking prescribed supplements to maximize my health outcomes. For example, she told me my potassium level was slightly low. Sara then got an order for an oral potassium supplement. I told her it would upset my stomach, and I did not want to take it. Instead of charting “patient refused,” Sara took the initiative to give me juice and crackers, brought ½ of the pill back, and asked me to take it. She gave me the other half with my lunch, thus avoiding any stomach upset!  

Another example of Sara’s professionalism is when she inquired about my nausea, which enabled a discussion about the best way to manage it. I told her that despite receiving the pre-op medications, I was experiencing nausea throughout the course of my I.V. infusions and throughout the first week post-chemo. Sara then suggested we try more I.V. fluid. She made sure that every time I received chemo, I also received one whole liter of I.V. fluid, which, of course, took more time to administer. One of these times, receiving an I.V. bolus resulted in me being the last patient to leave the Infusion Center that day. This held Sara over and prevented her from leaving on time. When I pointed this out, she replied that my getting the extra I.V. fluid was her priority, not leaving on time. The fluid not only decreased my nausea during the chemo infusion but reduced it dramatically the first-week post-chemo. 

These are important examples of Sara’s exemplary nursing care and demonstrate her commitment to nursing through maximizing patient outcomes. Knowing that Sara is an Infusion Center nurse and often my nurse is a major reason why I am thankful to be a patient at Northwestern. I am grateful for Sara’s care and commitment to her patients. Sara administers outstanding patient care and is undoubtedly a role model for her fellow nurse and physician colleagues. When I receive nursing care from Sara, I know that she cares. She makes me feel like she focuses just on me, which allays my anxiety about my disease and receiving chemo. I can then relax because I am in capable hands. 

Please acknowledge, thank, and celebrate Sara for her continued dedication and excellence in patient care. She is a true DAISY Nurse.