Timothy Mizell
September 2025
Timothy
Mizell
,
RN, BSN
Waltham Endoscopy
Massachusetts General Hospital
Waltham
,
MA
United States
Tim leads by example, fostering a culture of collaboration and inspiring his peers to strive for excellence.
When I learned about the DAISY Award, one name popped into mind. Tim's career journey reflects his exceptional qualifications, leadership abilities, and unwavering commitment to excellence. He is absolutely hands-on, completely engaged in all aspects of patient care and staff support, and the general functioning of the Waltham endo unit. People are generally good at pointing out things that are not working. Because of his resourcefulness and approachability, whenever someone does not know the answer to something, the response is always, “Ask Tim, he’ll know.”
Every day, Tim is the first to arrive in the endo unit at 5:30 am, preparing scopes to be used for the day. Throughout the day, he ensures that scopes are promptly reprocessed and ready for reuse. He assists in procedures, and there has never been an incomplete colonoscopy with Tim’s help, even with the most technically challenging colon. His magic hands on the patient’s abdomen seem to help guide the scope to go where it needs to be. He coordinates and substitutes for other staff to allow them to take their morning and lunch breaks on time, while he never takes any morning breaks himself. He delays his own lunch till others have all had their lunches, and the unit is smooth sailing. There are frequent days that he misses lunch when the unit is busy. He prioritizes others above all else and always manages a smile on his face even under the most stressful situations.
Let me recall a specific instance that illustrates Tim’s selfless, caring character. A patient came in early in the day for her first screening colonoscopy, knowing that she was not fully prepped for her colonoscopy. Instead of rescheduling the patient’s colonoscopy for another day (which is the typical process), Tim checked the schedule and suggested that if she takes an additional prep now, she can still have her colonoscopy later in the day by moving other patients up. Instead of having the patient go and get the additional bowel prep from a local pharmacy, he gave her his two bottles of magnesium citrate that he had purchased for his own upcoming colonoscopy. Because of his selfless act and creative way to fit the patient back into the busy schedule later in the day, this patient was able to complete her bowel prep and have her colonoscopy the same day. She did not have to take another day off work or have to go through additional bowel prep another day. No one likes to drink the colonoscopy prep, and definitely not twice. And as the endoscopist, I was able to complete the colonoscopy with a good bowel prep, and I did not feel a strain on my busy schedule the rest of the day. It all went seamlessly thanks to Tim’s ingenious idea and focus on the ultimate patient-centered care.
Tim is much more than a facilitator or a Jack of all trades. He is a selfless, compassionate nurse who always puts others before himself day in and day out. Tim leads by example, fostering a culture of collaboration and inspiring his peers to strive for excellence. Tim's visionary leadership cultivates a cohesive team environment that significantly enhances operational efficiency and patient care outcomes. Tim's ability to navigate challenges with optimism and clarity has been pivotal in guiding our team through both routine operations and critical emergencies. His strategic insights and innovative approach have consistently improved workflow efficiencies and quality standards within our facility. Because of Tim, I am now working in one of the most efficient, happy, cohesive endoscopy units. Even patients can feel the positive vibe - commenting on how happy we are, how well we work as a team, and how efficient and less frantic it is compared to other endoscopy units. To other endoscopy centers that look to simulate our process, I tell them that they need to “clone Tim”.
In conclusion, I wholeheartedly endorse Tim Mizell, RN, for the DAISY Award. It will be a true honor and no surprise to anyone in the Waltham endoscopy unit to see Tim be recognized for the DAISY Award. He embodies all the traits of this highest nursing award any RN could dream of.
Every day, Tim is the first to arrive in the endo unit at 5:30 am, preparing scopes to be used for the day. Throughout the day, he ensures that scopes are promptly reprocessed and ready for reuse. He assists in procedures, and there has never been an incomplete colonoscopy with Tim’s help, even with the most technically challenging colon. His magic hands on the patient’s abdomen seem to help guide the scope to go where it needs to be. He coordinates and substitutes for other staff to allow them to take their morning and lunch breaks on time, while he never takes any morning breaks himself. He delays his own lunch till others have all had their lunches, and the unit is smooth sailing. There are frequent days that he misses lunch when the unit is busy. He prioritizes others above all else and always manages a smile on his face even under the most stressful situations.
Let me recall a specific instance that illustrates Tim’s selfless, caring character. A patient came in early in the day for her first screening colonoscopy, knowing that she was not fully prepped for her colonoscopy. Instead of rescheduling the patient’s colonoscopy for another day (which is the typical process), Tim checked the schedule and suggested that if she takes an additional prep now, she can still have her colonoscopy later in the day by moving other patients up. Instead of having the patient go and get the additional bowel prep from a local pharmacy, he gave her his two bottles of magnesium citrate that he had purchased for his own upcoming colonoscopy. Because of his selfless act and creative way to fit the patient back into the busy schedule later in the day, this patient was able to complete her bowel prep and have her colonoscopy the same day. She did not have to take another day off work or have to go through additional bowel prep another day. No one likes to drink the colonoscopy prep, and definitely not twice. And as the endoscopist, I was able to complete the colonoscopy with a good bowel prep, and I did not feel a strain on my busy schedule the rest of the day. It all went seamlessly thanks to Tim’s ingenious idea and focus on the ultimate patient-centered care.
Tim is much more than a facilitator or a Jack of all trades. He is a selfless, compassionate nurse who always puts others before himself day in and day out. Tim leads by example, fostering a culture of collaboration and inspiring his peers to strive for excellence. Tim's visionary leadership cultivates a cohesive team environment that significantly enhances operational efficiency and patient care outcomes. Tim's ability to navigate challenges with optimism and clarity has been pivotal in guiding our team through both routine operations and critical emergencies. His strategic insights and innovative approach have consistently improved workflow efficiencies and quality standards within our facility. Because of Tim, I am now working in one of the most efficient, happy, cohesive endoscopy units. Even patients can feel the positive vibe - commenting on how happy we are, how well we work as a team, and how efficient and less frantic it is compared to other endoscopy units. To other endoscopy centers that look to simulate our process, I tell them that they need to “clone Tim”.
In conclusion, I wholeheartedly endorse Tim Mizell, RN, for the DAISY Award. It will be a true honor and no surprise to anyone in the Waltham endoscopy unit to see Tim be recognized for the DAISY Award. He embodies all the traits of this highest nursing award any RN could dream of.