Kindergarten teachers rarely are guests at a special dinner for "My Favorite Teacher Ever." A wise administrator told her kindergarten teachers, "The students may not remember - but the parents never forget." This thought is so applicable to this nomination.

Although doctors are accolated as the savior, and in most cases are rightly so, it is the nurses who give the primary and healing care. Because this family will never forget, we are nominating Cassie Wainwright for the DAISY Award. There is a well-known prayer, "The Prayer of Saint Francis" that immediately comes to mind when thinking of Cassie. She demonstrates many of the prayer's focus points, which knowingly or unknowingly contribute to her exceptional nursing. I was a complete basket case when my husband was admitted.

We had experienced a year and a half of not really knowing what was happening medically. Cassie's primary focus was B upon admission, recognizing an allergic reaction to antibiotics. She notified the doctor immediately, thus preventing a more serious problem. After B was cared for and settled in, her caring focus turned to me. It was as if I were her patient as well. Her support, knowledge of resources, and talking with my family members when I was unable to communicate coherently was incredible, and then when I was almost to the point of being inconsolable, she just held me. I, who usually am the strongest person during an emergency in our family, was the one receiving the compassion of one who really cared. It is as if her nature is engrained with the idea that if you care for the whole family, you are caring for the patient as well. My prayer for Cassie is continued compassion and dedication. Though these attributes may falter at times, I pray that they never will fail. Anyone who receives nursing care from Cassie is truly blessed.