Several team members stood out to me today in PICU, but Robin stood out in a special way. There is a 4-year-old patient who was declared brain-dead yesterday and is now an OPO case. This is a Spanish-speaking family and they have endured the unimaginable over the past 3 days (as a lot of our PICU families often do). I was present on the unit this afternoon after the mother of the patient passed out in the room from not eating or drinking. Robin came into the room from the other side of the unit to help translate. What I learned is that he had been helping all day when translation was needed for quick things. I also think the family became comfortable with him and felt trust when he was translating.

Robin stayed with the family and helped voice their concerns to me, the OPO team, and the nursing staff. They wanted to move forward with the Honor Walk for their son so they could say their goodbyes and grieve at home. Robin was a crucial part in helping coordinate this with our staff as well as having the family get the people, they wanted present to be here. Robin then stayed after his shift ended (as many of us did) to be present for this Honor Walk. He was by the family's side relaying everything that was being said from them to us and us to them. After having their time with their son, the family requested we pray with them and their visitors in the lobby. All the staff present at the walk joined this family and their visitors in the lobby. Robin did something I find to be the hardest during all of this and that was to translate the prayer that the chaplain was reading. It wasn't easy for either of them and the whole room was filled with sobs and sniffling as well as praying from the family.

The composure that was maintained, as well as love and compassion during such an emotional moment, was a true testament to the kind of person and nurse Robin is. I don't know Robin well nor do I work alongside him at the bedside, but I believe the characteristics that I and so many others witnessed this evening were that of a nurse who deserves recognition for his compassion, support, strength, expertise, and overall amazing care provided to this family during this difficult time.

Robin, you are an extraordinary nurse and an inspiration to us all! Congratulations, you make us proud!

*** This is Robin's 2nd DAISY Award!