Ottilee demonstrated compassion, respect, and excellence throughout my hospitalization. As a paraplegic patient who has been here since August, I rely on nurses for nearly everything, and she consistently treated me with dignity and patience. She never made me feel like a burden and always included me in decisions about my care, showing true respect. Her compassion is evident in the way she listens, encourages me on difficult days, and celebrates small victories. She also demonstrates excellence by paying close attention to details that protect my comfort, safety, and skin integrity. Ottilee doesn’t just provide care — she provides hope and humanity.

I have been in this hospital since August. As a paraplegic, I depend on others for almost everything — from the most basic daily needs to managing the complex medical issues that come with my condition. Being in the hospital this long can take a toll on a person, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. There are days that feel long and heavy. But Nurse Ottilee has been a constant light in those days.
Ottilee does not just care for me — she truly sees me.

From the very beginning, she treated me with dignity and respect. As a paraplegic man, that means more than most people realize. She never rushed through my care, never made me feel like a task on a checklist, and never made me feel like a burden. She explained everything she was doing, involved me in decisions, and always asked about my comfort before leaving the room. She restores a sense of control in a situation where I often feel like I have none.

There have been difficult days during this hospitalization — setbacks, frustrations, and moments where I questioned how much more I could handle. Ottilee has a way of recognizing those moments without me even having to say a word. She listens. She encourages. She reminds me of progress I cannot see for myself. She talks to me like a person, not a diagnosis.

What stands out most is her compassion. She celebrates small victories with me. She advocates for me when something is not right. She pays attention to details others might miss — positioning to prevent skin breakdown, ensuring my pain is truly controlled, protecting my dignity during personal care. These may seem like small things, but when you live in a hospital bed for months, they are everything.
Ottilee exemplifies what nursing is meant to be. Skill, yes — but also heart. She has made an incredibly difficult season of my life more bearable. Because of her, I feel respected. I feel heard. And most importantly, I feel human.

For those reasons and so many more, I am honored to nominate Nurse Ottilee for the DAISY Award. She is exactly the kind of nurse every patient hopes to have — and I am grateful she has been mine.