I want to nominate Chelsea Howard for the DAISY Award because she truly made a difference for my dad and me in a moment I will never forget. My dad never goes to the doctor, so when I got the call that he had been taken to the ER by EMS because he was having chest pain, I was scared. When I got there, Chelsea was the one who met me - and from the very first moment, I knew my dad was in good hands. She didn't just introduce herself as most people do. She looked right at me, smiled, and said, "I know this isn't the best situation, but I'm Chelsea, and I’m going to be taking care of your dad. I can assure you, I will take exceptional care of him." That meant everything to me in that moment.

She made sure the doctor came to speak with me, but what stood out the most was what she did after. She could have easily walked away, but she didn't. She sat down next to me and went over everything again, taking her time to make sure I understood. I was overwhelmed, and she saw that without me even having to say it. My dad is my whole world. I'm an only child, so I'm very protective of him. Chelsea didn't just take care of him medically; she connected with us. She shared stories about her relationship with her dad, as she is the only girl. Her joke about daddy's girls sticking together brought a sense of comfort and even a little laughter when we really needed it.

At one point, I asked her how she always had a smile on her face. Her answer stuck with me. She said she truly loves being a nurse and couldn't imagine doing anything else. She told me that no matter what kind of day she's having, her patients and their families are going through more, and that a smile can go a long way. And she lived that in every interaction we had with her. I never told her this, but having worked in hospital systems in many states, I've seen a lot of different kinds of care. The way Chelsea treated us is exactly what all nurses should strive for. I truly hope she continues to carry that with her and share it as she trains and guides new nurses.

Chelsea didn't just do her job-she went above and beyond in a way that felt genuine and real. She made a terrifying situation feel a little less heavy, and that's something I'll never forget. To me, that's exactly what the DAISY Award stands for, and Chelsea is more than deserving of it. I owe her a lot more than a simple thank-you, so I hope this recognition finds her and that she understands she means a lot to my family and me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I hope you continue to have that compassion and drive to make a difference.