Our son is a 15 year old recently diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. He had been in PICU for 8 days. It was a medical mystery with him from having UC to Flu B to myocarditis. For our son, his entire world was starting to fall apart not knowing where or how this was happening. I watched him struggle and at times being brave, as a mother and a nurse myself it hits you harder when it's your own. I've always treated my patients like family with the thought that someday my loved ones may be in the hospital and a nurse will hopefully treat them the same as I've treated patients.

Alexa was my son's nurse for 4 days. She greeted him with the biggest smile every morning, she would ask about his night, and addressed his pain and discussed in totality his labs with me. Together, we talked about his care plan for the day. Alexa is the kind of nurse that goes above and beyond. She cares, she empathizes, she is loving, thoughtful, considerate, and always shows up with a smile. She is responsible and a great leader; she teaches and takes the time to acknowledge me and update me on our sons plan of care as changes are made.

As a mother, I trust her enough to know that I can leave my son for a few hours and be assured that he is in amazing hands. The love and compassion Alexa has shown towards us shows the kind of person she is. Nursing isn't just her profession, it's in her heart. It's the little things that matters to us. Alexa deserves the DAISY Award for always going above and beyond for being responsible, compassionate, and trustworthy in her profession.