It is without hesitation that I recommend Ms. Myrna Bangcaya RN, to be the recipient of the "DAISY Award" for extraordinary nurses. The reasons for recommending her for this award is quite simple, she is truly an amazing individual and a humanitarian.

Myrna has been working at University Hospital (UH) for approximately twenty five (25) years, and her dedication and compassion have not wavered. I have known Myrna for approximately twenty one (21) years, and I consider Myrna to be one of my closest friends, and I have grown quite fond of her over the years. Myrna and I are quite different not just in regards to our race, but culturally as well. However; despite the differences in both of us, we share a bond that cannot easily be broken. With Myrna, there is no color that defines an individual, because in her eyes, we are all the same. I say all of this to let you know, just how fortunate and blessed I am to have Myrna, not just as one of my peers at work, or friend, but as an icon" for myself and for all to aspire to become.

Let me take the time to brief you on the distinctive qualities that Myrna possesses that truly surpasses the ordinary individual and places her far beyond others. When working on the unit, Myrna consistently goes above and beyond to ensure happiness of her patients. For example, there was a patient on the unit who was initially NPO for two days, and his diet was changed from NPO status and he was awaiting a tray from the Dietary Department. Needless to say, when his tray did not arrive the patient became very upset. This was a very busy day and all of the nursing assistants were assisting the patients, but Myrna did not allow that to prevent her from making her patient happy, she simply went to the Dietary Department and obtained the patient's tray.

I know that to some of you, this is not a big deal, well let me inform you, "yes it was". By this kind act and gesture the patient obtained his food right away and he verbalized his appreciation to Myrna. Sometimes, it is the little things we do that can make a world of difference to others.

Last year I felt honored when Myrna invited me to travel with her to the Philippines. Myrna has been travelling to the Philippines for the past twenty five (25) years to provide charitable work to the less fortunate children. I was quite excited about the trip, because I had never been to the Philippines and this trip would provide me with the opportunity to see firsthand the remarkable work that Myrna has been engaging in over the years.

I watched in awe and admiration, as I saw the multitude of toys and food that Myrna bought with her money, just to try to make a difference in the children's life. I watched as her family members and friends gathered to cook the meals and feed over six hundred (600) children. To show you the magnitude of her passion for helping others, she even pretended to be Santa Claus and distributed gifts to the children.

Just as I thought that I have seen it all, Myrna took to the streets of the Philippines and distributed groceries to the homeless. She ensured that a cooked meal was prepared for them as well, so that they would be able to have a Christmas meal. Again, this is just another selfless act of kindness that Myrna has demonstrated.