Oh gosh, where do I start? My dog and I were the victims of a horrific and traumatic attack by three men, unknown to me, in my apartment complex. I was sprayed twice with a stolen fire extinguisher, my dog was as well (and ran away), and then I was pushed to the ground and physically beaten. The men left with my house and car keys and all of my belongings. Although my complex medical history certainly has added some difficult aspects, this nomination is for Alex F at Bellevue Primary Care.

My PCP has been off and knowing this, I still, somewhat timidly, reached out. Alex was there... in such big ways. She encouraged me to come to the clinic and be seen by one of my PCP's partners. She even made sure that she was the nurse who welcomed me and started my appointment. I felt as though I said nothing, and she understood everything. I had some broken ribs as a result of the attack and wouldn't have known if she had not encouraged me to come. BUT/AND - it doesn't end there. Alex was my rock through the next week, as I went to court to testify in the preliminary trial and as I processed the devastating impact of this senseless act - she stayed. She helped coordinate my FMLA paperwork and medication refills, but it was honestly her words all week through the portal and her presence as we sat together that helped me know I wasn't alone.

Here are just a few examples of her support through the portal that make it evident that she deserves a DAISY Award- I will forever be grateful for her and her willingness to 'walk me through some of my hardest days,' which she said in clinic - 'I just feel drawn to do.' Some things she said, "Thank you for being strong enough to reach out to us for help." "We would all prefer to help you as soon as we can so you don't feel like you have to carry this by yourself." "We are here to help in any way we can - please don't underestimate what we can help with. Please don't underestimate how strong you are, either. Even through this impossibly tough time, every step forward is a step farther away from that horrible moment." "Please don't see this suggestion (to see another MD in my PCP's absence) as pressure, but rather encouragement. You deserve to be heard, and we are only trying to facilitate that. We are truly grateful that you reached out to our office."

On the day of the preliminary hearing, my first day of facing the assailants, Alex said, "I know today will be incredibly difficult at court, revisiting that terrifying event. Remember that you've won against those men. You lived. Your dog lived. Suspects were arrested. I know it is hard to root for yourself when you barely feel capable of being awake. If that is too hard, I recommend thinking of it this way. "The fight for one is a fight for all." Your presence today is proof that those men cannot perform the same or worse crimes on other people. We are with you today, H. You can do it."