Aaron McLellan is a DAISY Nurse not only in his clinical skills, but also in his compassionate care, exemplary services, and commitment to excellence. Before Aaron could even put his bag down for the start of his shift, the Child Life Specialist was asking him for a favor to take care of our daughter because she knew she needed the best nurse at starting IVs and need someone who was not only had exceptional clinical skills but was also compassionate, calm and very confident in caring for kids facing big surgeries. Aaron was amazing, he had such a calmness about him and was simply amazing in caring for our daughter. He was the first one to make sure that we understood what the doctors, anesthesiologist, and everyone that entered her room were saying. He was able to clear up some miss information that was said and more than that he was just a constant presence helping us prepare to send our daughter back to the OR. He was very confident when he placed her IV, made sure that he had everything laid out, that she was able to have some say in where the IV was placed and he was amazing with her.

Our family has been through a lot over the last 7 years medically. Our experience yesterday with Aaron and the team has been anything but that and it has been such a huge blessing to have someone who comes so highly recommended but also takes the time to really be with the patient and not rush through the normal routine of his day. He is very compassionate, caring, and just overall amazing with our daughter. Even when she was out of surgery he was the nurse who took care of her in recovery, then transported her to her ICU room, and continued such great care all the way to our room. There was no fear, or worry the whole time he was caring for our daughter because we knew he was one of the best and that he wouldn't let a single detail fall through the cracks. Aaron is an amazing nurse and we are forever thankful for the way that he cared for our daughter and treated her like she was his own.

We are so thankful for every single act that he did and for sticking with her through the whole process on Wednesday. It is truly such a blessing to have a nurse who strives to make every patient feel at home and like they are the only patient of the day. He was truly what we needed on a day when we came in with so much fear about her surgery. Our family will never forget Aaron and the way he cared for our daughter and I hope that he is able to have a small glimpse of the difference he makes in the lives of those he cares for.