I want to nominate Megan M for the DAISY Award because she made such a difference in our lives during my daughter’s cardiac catheterization. My daughter is very curious and asks a million questions about everything—especially when she’s nervous. From the very beginning, Megan showed so much patience, understanding, and compassion. She never once seemed rushed or bothered by all the questions. Instead, she took the time to explain every detail to my daughter in a way she could understand, always with a calm and caring tone.

Megan made her feel comfortable, safe, and respected. I could see my daughter’s fear turn into trust, and that meant the world to me as a parent. It wasn’t just the medical care—though that was clearly excellent—it was the way Megan cared for her heart and spirit, too. She noticed the little things that mattered, like holding her hand when she was scared, making her smile, and making sure we as parents felt supported and informed every step of the way.

Megan has a gift for nursing. Her compassion, patience, and genuine kindness shone through in every moment we spent with her. I will always be grateful for the comfort and confidence she gave our family during such a stressful time. She truly deserves to be recognized for the amazing nurse and person she is.

As a new hire, walking into a new unit was both exciting and intimidating. I was eager to learn, but I also carried the quiet fear of making mistakes and not yet knowing where I fit. From my very first days on the unit, our nurse manager Stephanie Leiva, made all the difference. 

What stands out most is how present and visible she is. She doesn’t lead from behind a desk, she leads from the unit. She knows the flow, the patients, and the people, and she makes a point to check in, not just to ask how things are going, but to truly listen. As a new nurse, that presence alone made me feel seen, valued, and supported. 

Her support goes far beyond words. She consistently adapts and flexes to ensure the teams needs are met, even if it means juggling crazy hours. She makes those tough decisions but always remaining fair, transparent and considers our input. When things get busy or a patient begins to decompensate, she doesn’t hesitate to step in. She jumps right into patient care alongside the team, calmly guiding, teaching, and supporting in real time. Seeing her at the bedside during high-stress moments instills confidence, not just in the plan of care, but in ourselves as nurses. One evening, our team faced a critical moment when a young patient began to rapidly decompensate. Without hesitation, Steph was at the bedside. She didn’t just observe, she jumped in to help, guiding the team with quiet confidence. Her calm direction and reassuring words kept everyone focused and steady. Instead of taking over, she worked side by side with her nurses, explaining each step and turning a stressful event into a powerful learning experience. Seeing the trust and respect that my peers and doctors have in her is a testament to her leadership. This is just one of many similar situations I’ve witnessed of Steph in action. She leads by example, showing us what it means to put patients and her staff first.  

She is deeply caring, not only toward patients and families, but toward her team. She recognizes how overwhelming it can be to for all of us both old and new. She never makes anyone feel small for asking questions or needing help. Instead, she creates an environment where learning is encouraged and mistakes are treated as opportunities to grow. Her kindness, patience, and reassurance have made my transition into this role feel safe and supported. 

Above all, she shows up, every single time. Whether it’s staying late, stepping into a difficult situation, or simply checking on a nurse after a hard shift, she consistently demonstrates what compassionate, hands-on leadership looks like. Because of her, I feel confident, supported, and proud to be part of this team. 

She embodies everything the DAISY Award represents, and I am incredibly grateful to learn and grow under her leadership. I hope that you will consider this nomination, because if anyone deserves it, it’s Steph!

I would like to nominate this care assistant for a PETALS Award for the exceptional compassion, kindness, and dedication she showed during one of the most difficult times of my life. 

During my son’s hospitalization, she cared not only for him, but for me as a mother as well. One night, my son needed his fourth IV at around 4 a.m., and it was an extremely traumatic experience. There was blood on my bedsheets, and emotionally I was overwhelmed and exhausted. I asked her for a blanket just to cover the bed, planning to change the sheets myself in the morning. 

The following morning, while my son and I were downstairs for his X-ray, she quietly went above and beyond anything I could have expected. When we returned, I was shocked and deeply moved to find my bed made with brand new sheets and the room tidy and clean. I had not asked for this, and she never mentioned it. She simply did it out of pure kindness and thoughtfulness. 

In a moment when I felt completely drained and vulnerable, this act meant more to me than I can put into words. It reminded me that we were not alone and that there are caregivers who truly see and support families during their hardest moments. Her compassion, initiative, and genuine care embody everything a PETALS Award stands for. 

I will never forget her kindness, and I am so grateful for the comfort she gave me when I needed it most.