Last December was a very stressful time for a Sarasota resident. Her father was in the hospital, and she was worried because of his condition; he was going to have a limb amputated. Her father’s nurse was Allison Levy, RN, who works on the Medical/Surgical unit at HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital. The Sarasota resident said, “She went above and beyond to serve and protect my father from my greatest fears, losing more of his limbs. She got the doctor that we have been trying to see for three years here within hours…she is my hero…you helped my family in the scariest time, and I am so grateful.” Recently, she and her mother, who are members of the famous circus family, returned to the hospital to personally thank the nurse and present her with the DAISY Award. The award is given to outstanding nurses worldwide for their extraordinary clinical skills and compassionate care.

“Everyone deserves to be treated with kindness, and everyone deserves to have someone fighting for them. Someday we will all be there, and that’s why I want to be there for my patients,” said nurse Allison Levy. The family said their father is now doing well, and they remain grateful to the hospital, surgeons, and nurses, like Allison Levy, who helped save his life.