Phil has been a nurse practitioner on the inpatient palliative care service for nearly four years, and is one of the most caring, compassionate and skilled coworkers I have had the opportunity to work with. He routinely takes care of long-term patients and their families, sometimes hospitalized for many, many months. He develops trusting relationships with these patients and families, and walks with them along their journey with serious illness (cancer, heart failure or other life-limiting disease), sometimes following them until they are able to leave the hospital, and other times helping them die peacefully and comfortably at the medical center.

Phil leads our team in daily meditation, to help us stay centered in the difficult work we do. He always steps up to take on new consults, and works tirelessly to support not only new patients/families but also to support his team. Phil is also extremely engaged with nursing and medical staff, and as an RN/ARNP at UWMC for over twenty years, has developed great relationships with many staff throughout the hospital.

Phil is never rushed, but always takes time to listen to people and provide support, whether it be a patient, their spouse, a social worker, physician, or bedside nurse. He provides a calm, comforting presence. We gratefully honor Phil with the DAISY Award, in recognition of his phenomenal contributions to the care of seriously ill patients, their families and UWMC staff.