Matthew started as a new graduate nurse in the CICU. He was very eager to learn about cardiac nursing and get to know his colleagues, so he spent lots of time talking to staff, patients and family members. He quickly earned a reputation of being friendly, supportive, and ready to jump in and help at any time. His willingness to lend a hand in any situation has not been limited to emergency situations or providing medical care. Because he spends time getting to know his patients and their families, he is able to figure out what he can do to help a situation and make a patient smile.
After caring for an adolescent boy, a boy who loves baseball and who would remain inpatient until receiving a heart transplant, Matthew developed a special relationship with the boy and his family. He often visited this new friend on CSU and during a visit, he learned that the boy had not been outside in several weeks and had not played baseball in months. Immediately he promised to do what he could to get the boy outside and playing ball again, despite being confined to the hospital. He quickly lived up to that promise and after arranging it with coworkers and nurses on CSU, he spent his next several lunch breaks playing catch in the garden with his patient.
It can be challenging to find ways to make an adolescent patient happy in the hospital and Matthew not only did that, but he brought inspiration and hope to his family and the care providers. While he has excellent clinical skills in the CICU, his compassion and desire to bring joy and happiness to his patients is what really makes him a strong and well-rounded nurse. Matthew Raymond deserves the recognition and honor that comes with being a DAISY Award recipient.