Nurse Han Ngoc Tran, RN, of Jefferson's Methodist Hospital was recently honored with a DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses for providing caring comfort to a patient who had recently lost her 90-year-old mother after serving for many years as the primary caregiver.

The patient had been admitted to the hospital, a week after her mother's death, for anxiety and exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

"While admitting this patient, Han took the time to listen to everything her patient wanted and needed to say," wrote the nurse manager in her DAISY nomination. "Han later went back to this patient's room, and dropped of a small gift bag and left. When the patient opened it, she found a beautiful card and a fluffy lamb for comfort."

Later, when the nurse manager went to the patients room - a practice known as new patient rounding - she found the patient lying comfortably in her bed hugging the little fluffy lamb. A comment to the patient elicited the story of how Han had listened to the patient's story and provided her with the lamb to comfort her during her stay.

"Han had told the patient that she now needed to take care of herself. The patient seemed so amazed at this act of kindness, and began to cry while she told me how Han had "imprinted on my heart." She also said that she felt comfort holding this stuffed animal even if others might find it strange.

As nurses, we have the opportunity to physically "touch" our patients, but Han found a simple way to directly touch someone's heart. It does not always require a great act in order to help provide someone peace and comfort. Han had truly found a way to touch her patient so deeply, that this experience will remain with her forever. What an incredible gift!"

For her act of kindness and generosity of spirit, Han Ngoc Tran, RN, was honored with a DAISY Award.