My husband was most recently admitted as a patient diagnosed with bladder cancer. We were not at all prepared for the swiftness by which his illness took his life. During his stay at Samaritan, he was moved to a few different units and received excellent care from a number of dedicated professionals. Although there were several remarkable men and women involved in his care, one, in particular, stands out as we reflect upon the entire experience. It is our belief that Maria Casale is the most extraordinary professional of all the wonderful providers who cared for my husband, as well as our family, during his final days. We are enthusiastically nominating Maria for the DAISY Award. It's quite hard to describe a mere situation where Maria went above and beyond her scope of duty. It's much more than a situationally driven event - it is more about the type of person she is. We must speak to the size of Maria's heart, the depth of her compassion, the acute problem-solving and nursing skills she has acquired as a professional, and the flexibility with which she met my husband's needs while balancing the needs of our family. She communicated effectively with doctors, nurses, staff, and administrators to keep us abreast of his status, needs, and any changes in the treatment plan. Of all those who touched my husband in some way during his illness, it is our firm belief that Maria Casale truly embodies "A Healer's Touch." We wholeheartedly urge you to consider bestowing Maria with this honor as a very small token of our profound gratitude for all that she did to help him and our entire family through his final days. She is truly deserving of some cinnamon rolls!