As a nurse myself, I understand the physical and emotional demands that come with caring for patients. But experiencing it from the other side, as a family member watching someone you love go through something as intense as a life-saving double-organ transplant, gives you an entirely different perspective. And that’s why I want to nominate this extraordinary nurse for the DAISY Award, Sean Castaneda.

After my mother underwent a double organ transplant, we were overwhelmed, grateful for the gift of life, but terrified of what came next. In the middle of that uncertainty, Sean stood out, not just for his clinical expertise but for the incredible compassion he displayed. Sean not only provided expert medical care during one of the most critical periods of my mother’s life, but he also offered something just as vital: comfort, dignity, and hope.

Nights were my mom’s most challenging moments as the fear of rejection or complications ran wild, and the thoughts about what was to come for her, her life, and her future scared her. Sean sat with one night, and I watched how he talked to her, not just at her, and how he never rushed, even when his responsibilities were clearly many. Sean and his calming presence reassured both my mother and me. He took the time to explain things in a way that brought us comfort. He treated her as more than a patient, and me as more than just a worried daughter. He saw us.

Sean also came back to visit my mother during his next shift, when he didn’t work on the floor my mom was on, which made my mom feel remembered, thought of, loved, and cared for. And that’s something I’ll never forget. I am unsure how long it will take for Sean to receive this letter, but I would like to update him that my Mom is home and she is doing well! Thank you for switching careers and becoming such an amazing nurse. We are forever grateful for the role he played in her recovery. His care made a lasting impact on all of us, and I can’t think of anyone more deserving of a DAISY Award.