During my most recent hospitalization, I was admitted to D6/5. The following day, a very special Nurse, Laura Kowalski, was assigned to me. She was soft-spoken and gentle natured. She was exceptional in the time she took and the patient, caring way she had of explaining medical information. She intuitively sensed my fear and anxiety, and offered a hand on my shoulder. She listened. When I say that she listened, I mean that she listened to not just the spoken word, but she listened to that which was unspoken as well. She took my reporting of symptoms seriously, and validated them by repeating how I described them or asking questions of clarification. Her caring responses made me feel safe, and made me feel like this was an individual I could trust. Never once did I get the impression that this nurse didn't have time for me. She gave me just the opposite impression - that she cared very deeply for each of her patients, and that I was just as important to her as the person in the room next door.

When I was confused and feared what the future would hold for me, she was comforting in a way that drew out my own strengths. Laura is sweet, funny, respectful and encouraging. She shows compassion; she has the rare gift of being able to keep a necessary professional boundary, while at the same time, opening herself to another's concern or pain. I nominate Laura Kowalski for the DAISY Award. If anyone deserves it, she does.