The following is the nomination from the patient's daughter. At the presentation the entire family came, everyone was moved to tears.

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As I sit this morning and complete this DAISY Award nomination, I am still overcome with emotion and the most sincere gratitude for a nurse that was caring for my mother on the morning of 7/31. His name is Shawn Souders. My mom was admitted to the 11th floor Pavilion on 7/28 for open heart surgery by Dr. P. "Textbook" surgery was how Dr. P described her surgery. Shawn was caring for her the night of 7/30. He made her feel secure and comfortable. On the morning of 7/31, as I entered the unit to see and check on her before coming to work, I witnessed a Code Blue being carried out on her. I could hear Shawn's voice over all the commotion and busyness of nurses, clinical response team and physicians in and out of her room. The teamwork we experienced throughout her stay was exceptional.

Shawn being in mom's room at the time that she coded and his knowledge in critical care response changed the outcome between her surviving this event or possibly not. Upon the completion of his shift, he came out into the waiting room where we were all waiting anxiously to know the outcome of what had happened. We witnessed a combination of professionalism, true warmth and compassion for what mom had gone thru for not only her but for our family from Shawn. He sat with us in the waiting room for some time after what had to have been an exhausting emotional shift.

He explained to us that he had never witnessed an event like mom had experienced. Wanting to have an explanation as to what had occurred, he went home and went through many medical books looking for answers. This went above and beyond we felt as to his responsibility as her nurse and respondent in the Code.

Shawn exemplified our mission statement over and over throughout her stay on the 11th floor, preceding, throughout and following the Code. He provided "hope and healing" not only to mom but to all of the family many times over. He spoke of how he had left the automotive business to pursue a career in nursing. What an asset for the medical field and our hospital, touching lives and making such a difference like he did for our family that morning.

I was able to celebrate my 60th birthday with both of my parents on 8/23...a blessing beyond words! I have Shawn to thank for that and the many memories that we will make as a family from here on out. Shawn will forever be in our hearts and always on our prayers. The entire staff of the CV ICU, and especially Shawn insisted upon quality and distinction in dispensing kindness and superb medical care.

I hope all the good things and blessings Shawn provides for his patients and their families come back to him a thousand fold. May God bless him always!

Yet another example of Shawn's continued commitment to his patient's, those he has cared for and been transferred from his care and those that will be coming in to his care. I met up with Shawn as I was coming into the Pavilion yesterday morning to be with my mom, for a follow up appointment with Dr. P. Shawn stopped on his way out after his shift, took time to inquire as to how she was doing, and how things were progressing for her and gave me a big hug. This was yet another example of his compassion and caring.

Shawn shared with me that he (and T) have both been researching and looking into what happened to precipitate mother's event which brought on her Code. He didn't just quit with the event which my mom experienced. He is eager to learn from it and hopefully pass this knowledge on to other nurses who might encounter the same situation and to better care for his patient's in the future.

This once again, exemplifies the amazing, caring clinical staff we have here at NKCH. Shawn goes above and beyond standard patient care.