I want to share my profound thanks and appreciation for the extraordinary time, effort, patience, and obvious skill, showed upon my husband and myself. My husband was admitted with sepsis and was extremely ill. We found ourselves on the sixth floor, and one of our extremely capable nurses was Walter Lewis. He served us over multiple days on the dayshift. At no time during those multiple days did he ever give us less than his best. Walter spent an extraordinary amount of detailed time whenever I would ask questions. He was so knowledgeable and patient, but he was always very careful to stay within the boundaries of the responsibilities of his RN skills. He would always say, “That is for the doctor to make that call” or “The doctor will have to answer that question”. He clearly knows his role and stays within the boundaries of nursing, all the while being compassionate, kind, comforting, and professional.

It was thought that my husband’s sepsis diagnosis probably began from open wounds on his legs. Wound care people came and talked with us and gave medications, but it was Walter who continued to answer my questions. He helped me to understand how to apply the dressings and cleansing agents and how to care for his wounds when it would become my responsibility.

I can never thank him enough for his expertise and his willingness to take the time to show and teach me so that I could continue good care upon being dismissed from the hospital. Also, Walter would frequently double-check lab results to see if we had gotten information regarding the progress of my husband's illness. I just can't thank him enough. There are not enough words to recognize his level of nursing.

During the time we were on the sixth floor, I think there must've been multiple code blues, so many new patients being admitted and discharged, and the nurses just never finished doing their duty. But Walter stood out! He took such pride and care and was so genuine that I cannot fail to acknowledge and thank him! I hope that he can be recognized as one who is truly outstanding and makes a difference at a time when patients are so vulnerable, so sleep deprived, and so fearful of what the outcome may be in the health care of their loved one.

Note: This is Walter's 2nd DAISY Award!