When I began my nursing career at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in the Med/Neuro ICU, I met Sheryl Loehr, a nurse in the cardiovascular/thoracic ICU. Little did I know, Sheryl would play instrumental roles in both my professional and personal lives. Sheryl taught many classes for new critical care nurses joining the FirstHealth family. I remember one class particularly, a hemodynamics class, that she taught. I was simply fascinated by her expertise. Not only did she have a plethora of knowledge regarding hemodynamics and other nursing topics, but she also had a natural ability and willingness to share her knowledge through lecturing.

I initially considered the course a dreadful two days of lecturing, but because of Sheryl's quick wit, contagious laughter, and dedication to her "babies," the two days turned into laughing, learning, and personal growth. I left that class with fundamental knowledge that has now carried me through six phenomenal years of nursing.

Shortly after I became a nurse, my father was a patient in CVT after undergoing aortic valve replacement. It was the first time in my life I was standing on "the other side" as a family member with my very own parent as the patient. After surgery, my family and I were brought back to the ICU where I saw Sheryl caring for my daddy. It was in that very moment that I took a deep breath and knew everything would be fine. Her thorough explanations, gentle and compassionate nature, and her focus of details regarding my daddy's plan of care put my family at ease, particularly me as I feared the very worst outcomes.

She juggled the many needs of my daddy as well as my family without hesitation. Her competent care was nothing shy of reassuring to each of us. Just a few short years later, Sheryl cared for my uncle, who also had his aortic valve replaced. Though I was no longer a nurse at Moore Regional, I still had the utmost confidence in and respect for Sheryl. I believed in her abilities and judgment as a bedside nurse, and I rested easier at night that she was, again, giving quality and compassionate care to my uncle.

Sheryl is certainly deserving of the DAISY award. She has contributed so much to nursing at Moore Regional through the outstanding care she provides to patients and families, the wealth of knowledge she willingly shares with her colleagues, and her never-ending devotion to the success of such a fantastic organization. She leads by example, and I know, first-hand, that Sheryl is a true asset to the entire FirstHealth organization.