I am honored to submit this nomination for Carly Waszak in recognition of her professionalism, compassion, and life-saving dedication. I went for my annual physical at the Elliot facility in Hooksett. During my appointment, I mentioned experiencing chest tightness after walking my dogs for 10 to 15 minutes. I attributed it to being out of shape, but my provider did not dismiss my concerns. Instead, she identified this as a potential "red flag" and immediately scheduled a series of heart tests, including an EKG, CT scan, and stress test. That is when I met my DAISY Award nominee, Carly Waszak, who conducted my stress test.

Carly was exceptionally kind, understanding my anxiety about the unknown, and took the time to listen as I explained my history as a survivor of the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon. I shared how I sometimes experience numbness on my left side due to blast-related injuries. She responded with compassion and reassured me that I was in the best hands. During the stress test, Carly quickly noticed something abnormal and immediately stopped the test. She reached out to the doctor, who confirmed her concerns. This moment was life-changing. Carly then took advocacy to another level. When scheduling with the receptionist, I was initially told that the soonest available appointment with a doctor would be in December, possibly October at the earliest. Carly refused to accept this delay, stating that if necessary, she would personally take me to the ER. She persisted until she secured an immediate consultation with the doctor.

Thanks to Carly’s unwavering advocacy, I later underwent further testing, revealing that two of my three main arteries were 100% blocked. A friend who works in an ER later told me this condition is commonly known as the "widow maker." Carly’s persistence led to my triple bypass surgery at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. Today, I feel better than ever and can walk my dogs without pain—something I never imagined would be possible again. Carly embodies the highest standards of care at Elliot Hospital. From the moment I met her, she treated me not just as a patient but as a person whose life mattered. Her dedication, professionalism, and willingness to go above and beyond saved my life.

Having encountered many heroes on 9/11, I define a hero as someone who Helps Everyone Regardless of Outcome. That is exactly who Carly is. Thanks to her, I have many more years ahead with my loved ones, and I can see my son graduate high school this year. I can continue to speak around the world about gratitude and never feel entitled to anything in life, and I am certain Carly has touched the lives of countless others with the same level of care and compassion. I have added Carly to my 9/11 presentations as an example of becoming someone’s hero. I wholeheartedly nominate Carly Waszak for the DAISY Award and hope she receives the recognition she truly deserves.