June 2026 Honoree
Tiera Dunn, RN
I would like to nominate this incredible pediatric oncology nurse for the DAISY Award for the way she handled one of the most vulnerable moments a child with cancer can experience: accessing her port in the ER.
For most people, accessing a port is a routine clinical task. For a child with cancer, it can feel terrifying. The ER is unfamiliar. It is overwhelming. And when your child is already scared, already carrying trauma from past hospital stays, that moment matters more than anyone realizes.
When Tiera walked into the room, everything shifted. She immediately brought calm into chaos. She spoke directly to my child, not around her. She explained each step in words she could understand. She moved slowly, confidently, and with such gentleness that you could feel the intention behind every action. She protected her dignity. She validated her fear. She never rushed.
Before accessing the port, Tiera asked permission. She reminded my child that her body is hers. In a world where so much feels out of control, that simple act restored power.
Clinically, she was flawless, but what sets her apart is how she pairs excellence with compassion. She knew when to distract her and when to let her breathe. When it was over, she celebrated her as if she had just climbed a mountain.
Because of Tiera, the ER did not become another traumatic memory. She is the kind of nurse every parent wants— skilled, present, and calm. For the way she cares for children and families in their most vulnerable moments, she is very deserving of the DAISY Award.
For most people, accessing a port is a routine clinical task. For a child with cancer, it can feel terrifying. The ER is unfamiliar. It is overwhelming. And when your child is already scared, already carrying trauma from past hospital stays, that moment matters more than anyone realizes.
When Tiera walked into the room, everything shifted. She immediately brought calm into chaos. She spoke directly to my child, not around her. She explained each step in words she could understand. She moved slowly, confidently, and with such gentleness that you could feel the intention behind every action. She protected her dignity. She validated her fear. She never rushed.
Before accessing the port, Tiera asked permission. She reminded my child that her body is hers. In a world where so much feels out of control, that simple act restored power.
Clinically, she was flawless, but what sets her apart is how she pairs excellence with compassion. She knew when to distract her and when to let her breathe. When it was over, she celebrated her as if she had just climbed a mountain.
Because of Tiera, the ER did not become another traumatic memory. She is the kind of nurse every parent wants— skilled, present, and calm. For the way she cares for children and families in their most vulnerable moments, she is very deserving of the DAISY Award.
Thank you, Tiera, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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