I am honored to nominate Shannon Dodge for the DAISY Award in recognition of her exceptional commitment and advocacy for patients and their families during a challenging hospital course. Shannon's unwavering dedication became evident when she worked tirelessly to secure a life-changing medication for a patient battling severe inflammatory bowel disease and malnutrition. This patient had a complex hospital journey, complicated by a disease that was refractory to standard treatments. In collaboration with the medical team, the family, and the patient, it was decided to try a final medication to avoid surgical intervention. Remarkably, this medication led to significant clinical improvement. However, the path forward was fraught with challenges. The non-English speaking family faced an overwhelming financial burden, as they were ineligible for insurance coverage, resulting in an astronomical out-of-pocket expense of $12,000 per month, not to mention the mounting hospital costs.

Despite these obstacles, Shannon became a steadfast advocate for the patient and family. Understanding the urgency of the situation, Shannon took it upon herself to navigate the complexities of the healthcare system. She collaborated with the medical team and the family to apply for a patient assistance fund. Unfortunately, just as the team was making progress, they encountered another setback: the review process for the assistance fund would take at least 10 business days, delaying the patient's discharge despite being medically cleared for such. In a demonstration of her exceptional commitment, Shannon personally contacted the medication manufacturer to explain the patient's urgent circumstances.

Thanks to her tireless advocacy and determination, the manufacturer agreed to provide a two-week supply of the medication at no cost. This intervention not only allowed the patient to be discharged home to the comfort of his family but also alleviated a significant amount of financial stress during an already difficult time. Shannon's actions exemplify our organizational core values of compassion, ownership, collaboration, innovation, and equity in patient care. Her personal responsibility for this patient’s well-being and her ability to bridge communication gaps made a profound difference in their lives. It is with great admiration that I nominate Shannon Dodge for the DAISY Award, in recognition of her outstanding efforts and dedication to patient care.