It is with the greatest sense of confidence that I nominate Sarah Taylor Peters for a DAISY Award. I have known Sarah for approximately 3 ½ years. During that time, she experienced one of any parent’s worst nightmares – the loss of her newborn child. Compounding her grief was the fact that he died at the very hospital she supported and loved as an employee. Sarah exhibited incredible strength by returning to work at a place that represented such personal sadness. While she had a great deal of healing to do, she did not let her grief consume her. Instead, she focused her energy on helping improve how we care for all patients at Children’s Hospital Colorado.

Over the past 2 years, Sarah has chosen to focus on how nurses and other members of the health care team can positively impact the patient and family experience through her work with the Bereavement Council. Sarah has taken personal events and shared them as part of Good Grief at Noon as well as at various staff and department meetings. In 2012, she will teach an End of Life Care section as part of the Back to Basics education for all Network of Care Emergency and Urgent Care (ED/UC), staff as well as presenting to the group of incoming Residents.

Sarah often speaks of being “present” in each and every moment we interact with our patients and families. When providing nursing care, her patients and families truly feel as though they are her highest priority - despite how busy she may be. Sarah takes the time to care for not only their physical needs, but for their emotional needs as well. She always meets people with a smile on her face and words of encouragement. This “presence” is also extended to her co-workers. She is quick to come to work when her team is understaffed or bring flowers to someone who may be having a bad day. She is genuinely concerned about the well being of those around her.

For the past several months, Sarah has read a short children’s book or told a story at our staff meetings. These stories are a creative way to present information which can remind staff of our shared purpose - to provide high-quality patient care. Topics have included change management, putting yourself in our patient’s place, and maintaining your sense of humor. She always ties these stories back to our Mission and Vision as well as mentioning Joint Commission requirements as applicable. Sarah is a gifted presenter and uses her gift to continually motivate her co-workers and reinforce our purpose.

These are just a few of the many reasons I am honored to nominate Sarah Taylor Peters for a DAISY Award.