When I think of a DAISY, I am taken back to my childhood and reminded of simpler times full of kindness and honesty; so when I think about the DAISY Award, I like to think this person exemplifies these traits; doing the right thing for the patient and the team in the moment, without even thinking about it. These are her natural instincts and she does these things without a second thought. When you ask anyone about this person, you hear things like amazing, wonderful, big hearted, funny, always has a smile on her face and the list could go on and on. So maybe a story of a typical day of her demonstrating her amazing qualities will help you see why she is most deserving of the DAISY Award.

Maria often starts her day out, super early in the morning, answering questions about staffing and making sure staffing is as equitable as it can be. Nothing too exciting there I know, yet she does it with such finesse that no matter the outcome, you know she tried her best. All of the best laid plans go out the door as the sun starts to come up and the day begins to take shape. A PIT crew is called and Maria comes up to the floor to assist us in making sure our confused little patient doesn't escape, all the while an RRT is being called just across the hallway. Maria jumps into action, her superhero cape swishing behind her, making sure she's done what she could to manage our escape artist and managing new onset of chest pain on an upcoming CABG patient. Maria swoops down to the pharmacy to pick up the nitro drip and guides the nurse in starting a nitro drip and helps to facilitate a transfer to the ICU because his chest pain couldn't be controlled. She always puts the patient's best interest first when making decisions. Maria helps to expedite the transfer prior to shift change so the patient could get settled and report given. The charge nurse of the day says, "I don't think it would have gone so well without her. She kept making sure we had it under control and was on top of everything. She really took care of us and I want to make sure she gets some kudos as well."

So, maybe that's just not enough to make you see Maria as a DAISY Superhero. Maria is called to the floor for super-duper uncontrolled hypertension that hasn't resolved with medication. We receive an order for a Labetalol drip. What?! Do we do that here? Wait, how do we do that? Well, no worries, Maria is here to save the day. She works closely with the nurse, supervisor and clinician to figure it out. Maria does her magic with pharmacy and when the drip arrives she is right there to help the nurse hang it. Gosh, it takes frequent monitoring and we are still waiting for a bed because the AMCU is full. It's ok, Maria stays to help monitor the patient until they can be safely transferred to the AMCU.

Still not convinced that Maria is a DAISY Superhero? While Maria is trying to stop our magical patients from leaving the hospital and saving lives, educating and supporting her team, she is juggling many other things. So many phone calls coming through we can't take that patient, I don't have a nurse, hey we just had 6 nurses and 4 pcas call in sick for tonight so we are 10 nurses and 8 pcas short, can we give out bonuses, hey the patient in 123-2 wants to talk to you, your boss and the boss of the hospital because she didn't get her Dilaudid on time and the daughter is here and upset too, oh by the way, did you hear my patient left AMA with a PICC line in place and the telemetry monitor? Those are just a few of the calls Maria manages while she is starting IVs and supporting her team. No matter what is going on Maria demonstrates the characteristics of what remind me of a daisy; kindness and honesty. Maria goes out of her way to make sure everyone feels listened too and heard even if she's being pulled in 10 directions at one time. Maria takes the time to make a personal connection with those throughout the hospital, making her team feel important and valued. When Maria is here everyone knows that the day is going to run smoothly and no matter what arises, everything will work out. Maria is like the mother hen of the group, taking her young under her cape and guiding them through the challenges of the day.

It's been an honor and a privilege to work with Maria over the past few years, and I can't think of another person who always treats others like she would want to be treated, with kindness and honesty. Thanks so much for all you do Maria - we couldn't do it without you!