On a trauma level one, a 13 year old boy was shot in the chest with a bow and arrow that penetrated his heart, aorta, lung and esophagus. On arrival to SICU, Beth Griffith, RN, an experienced critical care nurse of six years, was assigned to care for him. He had multiple surgeries to correct all the damage done to his body. While Beth cared for the young male struggling to survive from the trauma, she developed a very close relationship with his mother.

Beth demonstrated compassion and encouragement to her and the family to keep praying and have faith. She said he was a young healthy 13 year old and he would survive. Beth assured her the medical team caring for her son was the best and everyone was working to ensure he lived. The mother trusted Beth with her son's life. After a couple days he was transferred to Oschner Children's Hospital. Beth has remained in contact with the mother/family by phone calls, texts and prayers. Beth has attended fundraisers and wears the team t-shirt for him. He has since been intubated, lost a leg due to complications but his spirit is to survive. He said "I would rather live with one leg then die with two."

Beth's love for nursing and her personal goal for positive outcomes for her patients exhibit her commitment to excellence. Beth has shown her courage and faith helps families cope with trauma. I believe Rapides Regional Medical Center is a better place due to Beth and her spirit of caring! She is deserving of the Daisy Award.