It is with both pleasure and pride that I am nominating Susan Koruthu for a DAISY Award. Having worked with and known her, I have to say that she is one of nursing's unsung heroes and someone who exemplifies the DAISY Award.

She encompasses the hospital values and mission in all her daily activities. She is primarily working in the Neurophysiology side of the clinic and assists the patients and families greatly with her kindness, compassion and empathy for their daily life challenges. Working with patients who have extreme neurological illnesses and disorders is challenging; her knowledge of the patient population is crucial to her role in the area; and she is definitely an expert nurse working with all developmental age groups (from neonates to adult patient populations).

One event that strikes me significantly about her was when the North Tower needed to be evacuated due to smoke on the 7th floor recently. She was caring for a young baby who was undergoing a procedure; despite all the chaos surrounding her, Susan stayed by the child's side and never left her. She carried the baby in her arms to ensure the child's safety and also calm the child in the meantime. I am so proud of her, she never lost her focus of being a kind and caring nurse who put the patient first.

One colleague said, during that event, Susan's arms and gentle smile calmed us all. She reminded us to control our spontaneous reactions. This human portrait never left her mind and it's a profound reminder how Susan never lost her professional drive, unique gift and outstanding nursing skills.

She is also nominated by the patient who said, "She makes my quarterly visits to the clinic pleasant, her beautiful smile and warm heart ease the pain of the injections."

Another patient said, "I always find comfort and good treatment in this hospital where I am taken care of by a nurse who is very dedicated to work, compassionate, always wears a smile in her face, professional at work, and gives excellent care. I should say, she is the best nurse I have had."

One of her colleagues added that she is one of the most experienced and knowledgeable staff in their unit. She handles any problem with ease and composure and a real professional at every level. She is calm, efficient and reliable with excellent organizational skills. She is just Awesome.

The staff admired her courage when there was father who came in their unit with a threatening behavior. She was brave enough to handle the situation where she made certain the patients and her colleagues were safe by placing them in the staff lounge, lock the room and she talked to the father, calm him down and handled the situation until the security came.

Another colleague has mentioned that she truly deserves this award. She stated one example that Susan was on her way to take her quick, already late break from a busy day in the unit. On her way she met an old man asking where to go to book his MRI and DPC appointment. She was indeed very selfless to take the patient and assisted him, even it mean sacrificing her own needs.

Nominated by: Colleagues from Neuroscience clinic and Patients from Neuroscience clinic