Thomas Barnard, RN

I am honored to nominate Thomas, Assistant Nurse Manager in the Emergency Department, for the DAISY Award in recognition of his exceptional advocacy, clinical insight, and unwavering commitment to patient-centered care.

Thomas recently encountered a 30-year-old patient who presented to the ED with atypical chest pain and no significant medical history. What seemed routine quickly became a devastating, unexpected finding: a lung mass. The patient had no established primary care provider, no specialty connections, and no clear path forward. Further complicating matters, Interventional Radiology would not proceed with a biopsy without a consulting or referring provider identified in the chart. The Emergency Department physician expressed deep concern. Discharging this young patient without a clear follow-up plan felt ethically and professionally distressing. The question lingered: What was the patient supposed to do - simply be told "good luck" and sent home? Thomas refused to let that happen.

Rather than relying on standard referral pathways that could delay care, Thomas took immediate, thoughtful action. He remembered the Transitional Care Center being a reliable resource for the community and reached out directly to the clinical lead with whom he had no relationship, writing: "I am the ANM @ Marian ER and I have a patient that needs your help. I was reaching out directly instead of the TCC referral because she will need help sooner rather than later. When the doctor told me what was wrong with the patient and the problem she was having, it sounded just like the kind of thing you spoke to us about. If you could call the ER and speak with me or Dr. C, hopefully we can get this patient on the right track!"

This was more than a message - it was leadership in action. Thomas recognized risk, anticipated system barriers, and activated a solution before the patient could fall through the cracks. Because of his initiative, communication was established immediately, orders were signed, and the patient was connected to outpatient follow-up and continuity care. Thomas demonstrated what nursing leadership truly means: not just managing a department, but safeguarding patients beyond its walls. He modeled collaboration, urgency, humility, and advocacy. He listened to the physician's concern, trusted his clinical instincts, and ensured the patient left not with uncertainty - but with a plan.

In a healthcare environment where fragmentation is common, Thomas built a bridge. He ensured that a young patient facing a frightening diagnosis would not navigate it alone. This is the essence of the DAISY Award: extraordinary nurses who go above and beyond to deliver compassionate, skillful care and who advocate fiercely for their patients. Thomas did not accept " that's just how the system works." He made the system work for the patient. For his leadership, his heart, and his refusal to let a vulnerable patient slip through the cracks, I wholeheartedly nominate Thomas for the DAISY Award