This nomination for the DAISY Award was not turned in earlier because my grief was still too raw. Even now, as I write this, I’m certain that the nurse we are nominating is still providing the same exceptional care to other patients and families as she did for ours. Jessica is that caring and that special.

Jessica is one of those rare gems; if you find one, you feel lucky. She has an uplifting energy that fills the room. My husband, Jessica’s patient, was initially told he had colon cancer, possibly stage 1. Eight days later, we learned it was stage 4, with metastases to his abdomen, liver, lungs, and spine. Just a week after that, he needed emergency surgery for what was thought to be appendicitis or a ruptured colon. Sadly, the doctor told us it was severe; “like a bomb went off,” he said.

After the first of three related surgeries, my husband was placed in the ICU on a ventilator. To say we were shocked is an understatement. He spent 12 of his 15 days in the ICU heavily sedated, and then went home on hospice for just seven days before going to heaven. Everything happened so quickly that we barely had time to process it all.

Jessica was assigned as my husband’s nurse several times during his stay, and she went above and beyond in every way. Her compassion and empathy extended not only to her patient but also to our entire family. Her professionalism and calm nature were a source of great comfort. She patiently explained the machines, procedures, and medications to our anxious adult children. Each day brought new challenges, but we always knew that my husband was in the best possible hands when Jessica was caring for him.

Jessica is honest, kind, soft-spoken, and deeply passionate about her work. We even saw her in action as a teacher when she had a student nurse; she encouraged hands-on learning and guided her with patience and expertise. She truly radiates a love for nursing and for caring for others. Her colleagues and the medical team clearly respect her as well; we often saw doctors, nurse practitioners, and respiratory therapists consult with her and trust her quick assessments and recommendations.

I never left the ICU area during my husband’s stay, and Jessica intuitively understood how much it meant for me to spend every moment I could by his side. Her compassion, skill, and presence gave me the strength to endure the hardest days of my life. As a former ICU nurse myself, I can honestly say that Jessica’s care was exceptional; she treated my husband like family, providing the VIP-level tenderness and attention that every loved one deserves.

Jessica’s deep understanding of complex patient care, ventilators, PICC lines, IVs, skin integrity, and more—was evident in everything she did. She explained procedures clearly, ensured our entire family understood what was happening, and always made us feel included and respected. Her compassion, optimism, and kindness did not go unnoticed. She calmed my anxious heart through her words and actions and even shared parts of her own life, connecting with us in such a meaningful way.

Jessica was, and is, our Godsend. She knows the delicate balance between professionalism and genuine human connection. She made us feel cared for, seen, and supported during an unimaginable time. She is someone we will always hold dear in our hearts and someone who truly embodies what the DAISY Award stands for.