As a Carilion employee, I have spent the last six years giving 100% to all of my patients, their families, and friends. I do this because I feel like I am a good caring person. I also hope that when the day comes I will have the same care for myself, and my loved ones.

My husband was in a fluke accident, and I was terrified of being the nurse wife of an injured patient. Susan Brown was our nurse and quickly took all of my fears away. My husband had a broken wrist, multiple face fractures, his jaw wired shut, and he was terrified. Susan went above and beyond to make us feel comfortable and cared for, and made sure that when it was the first time for him to get something by mouth while wired shut she went slow and steady all while teaching a nursing student exactly what to do. She had a gentle voice and a gentle way of doing things while still allowing me to be involved with his care.

This may seem like Susan was just "doing her job" but as a nurse myself for this company it was the most honorable thing to have my family and friends visit, and my husband to be happy throughout his 5-day stay. What a pleasure it is to say that I work for a company where I hope my family goes when they are sick, this is because of nurses like Susan Brown. The comfort she gave us both throughout our stay is something I have thought about daily since I went back to work. I keep thinking, "be like Susan, make sure your patients feel heard and cared for, and know that I am there for them and an advocate for them."

I know DAISY's are special, but I feel like it is not enough. Accidents like this are so traumatic to families, but I hope that Susan knows her care made our recovery so much easier, and the memory a little less difficult. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts Susan!