About a month ago I stayed in the hospital for nearly a week in 6 North accompanying my mother who was very sick and going through an uncomfortable procedure. I had never seen her or anyone that sick in my life and it was nothing short or terrifying: it was a nightmare. Had it not been for the professionalism and kindness of your staff I may not have made it through emotionally intact. Even though I was in shock at my mother's situation, I remember being astounded at how friendly, knowledgeable and dedicated the nurses were on this unit. I don't know how and where you find your nurses but you are doing a brilliant job of it. Two in particular were so outstanding that I asked for their names and contact information, in order to include them in this letter: Lisa Hauck and Lauren Vallone. They were both so kind to me and my family and always smiling and eager to help. They were terrific at bedside with my mom and consistently went above and beyond to help us. Most important, they provided excellent medical care. They are the two best nurses I have ever met in my life and I've spent a lot of time in hospitals over the years. They made the worst week of my life somehow manageable and I owe them gratitude. Lisa and Lauren should be models for nursing care around the world.

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It gives me great pleasure on many counts to nominate Lisa Hauck for the DAISY Award. In way of introduction, my name is K.S. and I am a 35-year employee of UCLA and I am also a volunteer coordinator for the volunteer Patient Liaisons in the RR Emergency Department. I get to know many patients in my role in the hospital and working on campus it gives me the opportunity to follow up with patients and continue with assisting them if they need the help. For the past five weeks I have been trying to assist the trauma family from Virginia that I met in the ED five weeks ago on my shift. My help has not been looked upon in a favorable manner by many, and I have been on the verge of deciding to cease my volunteer work as I can't seem to be the person I want to be in my compassionate and helpful manner. Then I met Lisa Hauck on her shift in the same trauma family's room this past Sunday while I was visiting. I said I was going to go to Mass and I would come back after Mass. Lisa said I am going to Mass as well, I will see you downstairs. After Mass she came up to me, thanking me for being with the family as I have been, knowing they were from Virginia with no friends or family to be there for them in this time of need. Of Course, with her kind and thankful words I burst into tears as I was on the verge of calling it quits. Lisa gave me the encouragement to carry on and explained it takes all kinds of people to run a hospital and to know my work is a gift and a blessing. I left the hospital rethinking my role as a volunteer, and I have Lisa Hauck to thank for that. These type of caring nurses are a gift not only to our patients but to me, as a volunteer as well. It is amazing where "gifts" come from, but Lisa gave me back the reason of why I volunteer. The patient's wife also praised the kindness of Lisa as she has been having a difficult time trying to find a nurse who seems to care so much. Thank you, Lisa.