Maggie made an unimaginable situation bearable for both my husband and family. When my husband suffered a significant stroke, we ended up spending over two long weeks in the Neuro ICU. I was a complete nervous wreck the entire time, absolutely terrified of what each day would bring, but the one constant source of comfort we had was Maggie.

From the very first day she cared for my husband, something about her presence. made the room feel calmer. She spoke to him gently, even when he could not. respond. She explained every action before she did it, and she treated him like a person—not just a patient—no matter how critical things were.

Going into those few weeks, I truly did not believe I would ever feel comfortable trusting anyone with my husband’s care. I was scared and protective, and I felt like I had to watch everything. closely. But Maggie changed that. She became a constant source of trust for me. throughout our entire ICU stay.

I was anxious every minute of those weeks, barely able to leave the side of his bed. because I was so scared something would happen when I was not there or looking. But when Maggie was on shift, I felt a sense of safety.

She was the only nurse I ever felt comfortable enough to walk away from his bedside for even a few minutes—to use the bathroom, get something to drink, or close my eyes and rest. I knew she was watching him closely, advocating for him, and giving him the highest level of care.

Her dedication showed in everything she did. Whether she was cleaning him up after an accident, turning him so he would not get sore, adjusting his tubes and monitors, or making sure his mouth and skin were clean, she did it all with such intention and kindness.

And it was not just the routine nurse tasks— She would talk to him, encourage him, and treat him like he mattered most. She genuinely believed in him getting better.

What really set Maggie apart was how she cared for me, too. She could see how overwhelmed I was, and she never once made me feel like I was in the way or asking too many questions. She took time to explain what was happening in language I could understand, she reassured me when things changed suddenly, and she always made sure I felt as comfortable as possible in a situation where comfort. felt impossible.

One of the moments that meant the most to me was realizing that her care didn’t stop when she was not assigned to my husband. Even on days she was off, or had a separate set of patients, she would still walk straight to our room the moment she arrived on the floor to check on us.

She wanted to know how he did overnight, if anything changed, and how I was holding up. That kind of genuine care is something you cannot teach; it comes from a truly special person, a natural nurse.

She also always took the time to help me understand the complicated medical updates—what each scan meant, why certain symptoms were happening, and what the treatment plan was. She did not have to do all of that, but she did it because she cared about our peace of mind. She knew how scared I was, and she consistently made me feel supported and informed.

Maggie did not feel like just my husband’s nurse, she felt like family. She guided us. through every high and every low with a steady hand and a compassionate heart. I genuinely do not know how I would have gotten through those weeks without her.

Maggie represents everything the DAISY Award stands for. Her heart, her dedication, and her kindness changed our entire experience during those three. weeks.

I will always be grateful for the way she cared for my husband, and for the way she supported me through every moment. There is absolutely no one more. deserving of this award than Maggie. She is truly special.