Lisa Richards University of Michigan Health System

Within the University of Michigan Health System, candidates for the Daisy Award are nominated by patients and/or their families. This process assures that those few selected to be honored have clearly demonstrated the compassion and patient focused care that is representative of Daisy winners.
Lisa Richards’ story is a perfect example of such exemplary, considerate care. Lisa works in the ER – a unit that brings to mind a fast-paced environment and intensity of care. The patient who nominated Lisa tells another story. Presenting as a pregnant female with severe cramping, this patient, who was looking forward to motherhood, subsequently miscarried while in the ER under Lisa’s care. An excerpt from the letter nominating Ms. Richards reveals the connection Lisa was able to make with this patient and the value of Lisa’ skillful intervention.
“Upon learning the results of the ultrasound, I was devastated. At that point I was given to a nurse stationed outside the ultrasound room. She asked me if I wanted to be alone or is she could stay with me. It meant a lot that she gave me that choice. She kept telling me over and over that I had done nothing to bring on this miscarriage. She spent time with me as though I was her only patient. She answered all my questions and she was so sweet and humane. In her care, the scary ER felt more like a refuge, and I felt safe to cry in front of her for what seemed like hours. She contacted my husband when I was too sad to make that call. I can easily say that the luckiest part of my miscarriage was that Lisa was there when I arrived in the ER.”