October 2026 Honoree
Allison Cornish, LVN
Allison Cornish was nominated for the DAISY Award in recognition of the exceptional compassion, empathy, and patient-centered care she demonstrated during the hospitalization of a patient who experienced a life-altering tragedy.
From the patient’s wife, “My husband and I were in an accident that will forever change our lives. We were driving our motor home from Oregon to San Antonio for his new job. We were hit head-on by another driver attempting to pass traffic from the other direction. We both saw what was going to happen, and he looked at me and said, "Hang on, baby while slowing down to lessen the impact. We were hit. Hard. People came from across the road to help. He was airlifted to UMC, where he received the best care possible from orthopedic and plastic surgeons. His injuries included a broken left femur, tibia, fibula, and patella, and he lost most of the muscle in that leg. He also had injuries to his right foot and ankle.”
Throughout his hospitalization, the patient expressed profound gratitude that he and his wife had survived. However, he also struggled with periods of depression, sadness, and emotional distress as he faced the realities of his injuries and uncertain future. One of his greatest concerns was no longer being able to care for his wife as he had before. Being confined to a hospital room day after day, surrounded by constant noise and reminders of his condition, only amplified those feelings.
From the patient’s wife, “He was in the ICU for 15 days. When it was time to finally move him to a regular room, I was nervous. He had nurses with only one other patient. When he was moved, we understood that he would be one of 4 to 6 patients, and we were concerned about the care he would receive. Allison was one of the first nurses that we met, and from the beginning there was a bond. C could not move his legs on his own due to the ex-fix and major injuries to his legs. She was attentive to how to care for him without causing pain. When he was able to sit up or move to a wheelchair, she was compassionate and in tune with his physical capabilities. There was more than one time when she stood in front of him and knew that he needed additional assistance to help him back into bed. Her intuition is over the top.”
Allison took the time to truly listen. She created a safe space where the patient felt comfortable sharing his fears, grief, and worries about his wife and their future. Recognizing his emotional and spiritual needs, Allison arranged for pastoral services so that he could receive additional support during this difficult time.
Understanding how much the patient missed spending meaningful time with his wife away from the challenges of the hospital environment, Allison went above and beyond to create a special experience for them. She collaborated with leadership to secure a private room where they could escape the constant noise and interruptions of the hospital setting. Allison then arranged a candlelight dinner, giving the patient and his wife the opportunity to share a peaceful and intimate "date night" together during an otherwise overwhelming chapter of their lives.
This simple yet profound act reminded the patient and his wife that they were more than victims of a tragic accident and more than a diagnosis or hospital stay. It allowed them to reconnect as husband and wife, to find comfort in one another, and to experience a moment of normalcy, hope, and love amid tremendous hardship.
From the patient’s wife, “Her compassionate nature is visible to all who meet her. She knew when he needed to get out of the room; she was always interactive with me, asking what he needed and how to help. Her compassion is obvious. Her dedication is something to be admired. My husband was only one of her patients, but if she treats all of them the way she treated him, then we are all blessed to know her. Allison has shown her ability to communicate with other staff members, including others from different departments. She's well respected by her peers and her empathy and compassion knows no bounds.”
Allison's compassion exemplifies what nursing is all about. She recognized not only the patient's physical needs but also his emotional, spiritual, and human needs. Her willingness to go above and beyond transformed a difficult hospitalization into an experience marked by dignity, kindness, and healing.
Allison Cornish is the embodiment of the DAISY Award values and is truly deserving of this recognition. Her extraordinary acts of compassion will never be forgotten by this patient, his wife, or those who witnessed the difference she made in their lives.
From the patient’s wife, “My husband and I were in an accident that will forever change our lives. We were driving our motor home from Oregon to San Antonio for his new job. We were hit head-on by another driver attempting to pass traffic from the other direction. We both saw what was going to happen, and he looked at me and said, "Hang on, baby while slowing down to lessen the impact. We were hit. Hard. People came from across the road to help. He was airlifted to UMC, where he received the best care possible from orthopedic and plastic surgeons. His injuries included a broken left femur, tibia, fibula, and patella, and he lost most of the muscle in that leg. He also had injuries to his right foot and ankle.”
Throughout his hospitalization, the patient expressed profound gratitude that he and his wife had survived. However, he also struggled with periods of depression, sadness, and emotional distress as he faced the realities of his injuries and uncertain future. One of his greatest concerns was no longer being able to care for his wife as he had before. Being confined to a hospital room day after day, surrounded by constant noise and reminders of his condition, only amplified those feelings.
From the patient’s wife, “He was in the ICU for 15 days. When it was time to finally move him to a regular room, I was nervous. He had nurses with only one other patient. When he was moved, we understood that he would be one of 4 to 6 patients, and we were concerned about the care he would receive. Allison was one of the first nurses that we met, and from the beginning there was a bond. C could not move his legs on his own due to the ex-fix and major injuries to his legs. She was attentive to how to care for him without causing pain. When he was able to sit up or move to a wheelchair, she was compassionate and in tune with his physical capabilities. There was more than one time when she stood in front of him and knew that he needed additional assistance to help him back into bed. Her intuition is over the top.”
Allison took the time to truly listen. She created a safe space where the patient felt comfortable sharing his fears, grief, and worries about his wife and their future. Recognizing his emotional and spiritual needs, Allison arranged for pastoral services so that he could receive additional support during this difficult time.
Understanding how much the patient missed spending meaningful time with his wife away from the challenges of the hospital environment, Allison went above and beyond to create a special experience for them. She collaborated with leadership to secure a private room where they could escape the constant noise and interruptions of the hospital setting. Allison then arranged a candlelight dinner, giving the patient and his wife the opportunity to share a peaceful and intimate "date night" together during an otherwise overwhelming chapter of their lives.
This simple yet profound act reminded the patient and his wife that they were more than victims of a tragic accident and more than a diagnosis or hospital stay. It allowed them to reconnect as husband and wife, to find comfort in one another, and to experience a moment of normalcy, hope, and love amid tremendous hardship.
From the patient’s wife, “Her compassionate nature is visible to all who meet her. She knew when he needed to get out of the room; she was always interactive with me, asking what he needed and how to help. Her compassion is obvious. Her dedication is something to be admired. My husband was only one of her patients, but if she treats all of them the way she treated him, then we are all blessed to know her. Allison has shown her ability to communicate with other staff members, including others from different departments. She's well respected by her peers and her empathy and compassion knows no bounds.”
Allison's compassion exemplifies what nursing is all about. She recognized not only the patient's physical needs but also his emotional, spiritual, and human needs. Her willingness to go above and beyond transformed a difficult hospitalization into an experience marked by dignity, kindness, and healing.
Allison Cornish is the embodiment of the DAISY Award values and is truly deserving of this recognition. Her extraordinary acts of compassion will never be forgotten by this patient, his wife, or those who witnessed the difference she made in their lives.
Thank you, Allison, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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