I am writing to nominate all of the incredible nurses on 6 West in the Anderson Building at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles for the DAISY Award. These nurses have been a constant source of comfort, strength, and compassion for my son and our entire family throughout a very challenging journey.

My son received a liver transplant, and since then, he has been admitted multiple times for various liver-related complications. Each time, the nurses on 6 West welcomed us with warmth, familiarity, and open hearts. A hospital can never truly feel like home — but somehow, they’ve made each stay feel just a little easier, a little lighter, and full of genuine care.

From the most painful moments, like when we first found out our son had liver cirrhosis and needed a transplant, to the joyful ones,  like celebrating his 8th-grade culmination and his 14th birthday, the nurses on 6 West were right there with us. Their presence, kindness, and dedication made all the difference.

What touches us most is how they go above and beyond to lift his spirits. With every admission, it seems like a new tradition begins, from nurses making him origami to encourage him to walk, to decorating his door with drawings to brighten his day. These small, thoughtful acts brought joy during some of the hardest times. They didn’t just take care of his medical needs; they cared for his heart and soul.

They have advocated for my son, treated him with dignity, and shown genuine love for their work and for the children they care for. Their dedication to every child on 6 West is nothing short of amazing. We truly could not have asked for a better team.

The nurses of 6 West are extraordinary.

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Our daughter was diagnosed with biliary atresia, and we experienced a whirlwind of emotions, coming into the ED thinking we were dealing with routine jaundice, only to learn within hours that our daughter had a two-in-three chance of eventually needing a liver transplant. She was immediately scheduled for a Kasai procedure, as outcomes depend on how quickly it can be done. Needless to say, it was a dark and scary time for our family; our daughter was only nine weeks old.

Post-procedure, Abigail and Zach cared for us on 6 West. Their love, care, and positivity truly uplifted us when our spirits were crushed. Every interaction centered on our daughter and what they could do to ease her pain and support her recovery. They also made us, the parents, feel seen and heard by leaning in to all our concerns and ensuring every question was addressed. In a time when our family felt lost, they helped give us hope and illuminated a path forward to what our “new normal” would look like post-Kasai.

As a parent, you never want to see your child in pain. I was terrified that my daughter would suffer uncontrolled pain after surgery and voiced my concerns to Abigail and Zach. Our daughter had an epidural that needed to come out if bowel movements reached the catheter area, which eventually happened. Abigail immediately explained the pain management plan, checked in often about my daughter’s comfort, and acted quickly when she showed signs of pain, ensuring medication adjustments were made promptly.

Zach was always nearby, grabbing pacifiers, sweet ease, or anything needed to provide comfort. Their teamwork and compassion helped ease my daughter’s pain and my own anxiety in ways I’ll never forget.

This team went above and beyond, seeing beyond my daughter as the patient to also help heal and support us, her parents, during one of the most difficult times in our lives.

They are truly a team of rockstars who helped guide us toward healing and hope.