Andy
Mai
December 2025
Andy
Mai
Wichita State University
Wichita
,
KS
United States
He turned one of the most painful experiences of a patient’s life into a moment where she felt human again despite her circumstances. Andy did not just provide care. He made a profound difference.
It our honor to recognize Andy Mai with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students.
During one clinical rotation, Andy cared for a patient who was a survivor of extreme domestic violence. Her injuries were significant, and her emotional trauma was even greater. She entered the hospital frightened, withdrawn, and unable to trust anyone. The room felt heavy, not because of illness, but because of the violence and violation she had endured.
P — Passion / Compassion: Andy’s compassion was immediate and instinctive. He recognized her fear and gently connected with her using her native language, the first familiar and safe communication she heard in the hospital. It wasn’t about performing a task; it was about letting her know, You are safe. You are seen. You matter.
E — Empathy: What makes Andy exceptional is that he did not shut off his emotions to cope. He felt the weight of her trauma. He later shared that seeing her pain stirred a level of empathy he hadn’t experienced before, and he briefly worried that feeling so deeply meant he was not being “strong enough.” But the truth is, his empathy is what made him exactly what she needed, especially in that moment.
T — Trust and Teamwork: Recognizing that the emotional intensity of the situation challenged him, Andy demonstrated maturity beyond his training. Instead of hiding his feelings or trying to push through alone, he approached experienced nurses and asked for guidance to ensure he was supporting the patient properly. He trusted his team, and they trusted him back. He showed that asking for help is not weakness — it is professionalism and imperative to true patient centered care.
A — Admirable Attributes: Andy possesses qualities that cannot be taught. He demonstrates cultural sensitivity, emotional intelligence, and the rare ability to make a person feel like the only human in the room. Nurses observed how the patient slowly opened up to him. Her guarded silence softened into conversation, and eventually, laughter.
L — Leadership: Leadership isn’t about being in charge; it’s about how you show up for others. Andy demonstrated leadership by recognizing that this patient needed connection, not just care. Without hesitation, he used his ability to speak her native language to ensure she felt included and safe. Experienced nurses observed that he navigated the situation with calm, respectful, patient, and authentic confidence. By openly acknowledging the emotional weight of compassionate care, he created space for others to reflect on their own difficult moments. Andy led not through authority, but through presence, inspiring others to bring humanity into every patient interaction.
S — Selflessness: Andy expected nothing in return. His focus was entirely on the patient and her dignity, her comfort, and her emotional safety. He set aside his discomfort to prioritize her healing. A nurse on the unit later said, “Andy was the sunshine in a very dark storm.” He turned one of the most painful experiences of a patient’s life into a moment where she felt human again despite her circumstances. Andy did not just provide care. He made a profound difference. Andy embodies what we hope the future of nursing will be: compassionate, empathetic, humble, and deeply human.
During one clinical rotation, Andy cared for a patient who was a survivor of extreme domestic violence. Her injuries were significant, and her emotional trauma was even greater. She entered the hospital frightened, withdrawn, and unable to trust anyone. The room felt heavy, not because of illness, but because of the violence and violation she had endured.
P — Passion / Compassion: Andy’s compassion was immediate and instinctive. He recognized her fear and gently connected with her using her native language, the first familiar and safe communication she heard in the hospital. It wasn’t about performing a task; it was about letting her know, You are safe. You are seen. You matter.
E — Empathy: What makes Andy exceptional is that he did not shut off his emotions to cope. He felt the weight of her trauma. He later shared that seeing her pain stirred a level of empathy he hadn’t experienced before, and he briefly worried that feeling so deeply meant he was not being “strong enough.” But the truth is, his empathy is what made him exactly what she needed, especially in that moment.
T — Trust and Teamwork: Recognizing that the emotional intensity of the situation challenged him, Andy demonstrated maturity beyond his training. Instead of hiding his feelings or trying to push through alone, he approached experienced nurses and asked for guidance to ensure he was supporting the patient properly. He trusted his team, and they trusted him back. He showed that asking for help is not weakness — it is professionalism and imperative to true patient centered care.
A — Admirable Attributes: Andy possesses qualities that cannot be taught. He demonstrates cultural sensitivity, emotional intelligence, and the rare ability to make a person feel like the only human in the room. Nurses observed how the patient slowly opened up to him. Her guarded silence softened into conversation, and eventually, laughter.
L — Leadership: Leadership isn’t about being in charge; it’s about how you show up for others. Andy demonstrated leadership by recognizing that this patient needed connection, not just care. Without hesitation, he used his ability to speak her native language to ensure she felt included and safe. Experienced nurses observed that he navigated the situation with calm, respectful, patient, and authentic confidence. By openly acknowledging the emotional weight of compassionate care, he created space for others to reflect on their own difficult moments. Andy led not through authority, but through presence, inspiring others to bring humanity into every patient interaction.
S — Selflessness: Andy expected nothing in return. His focus was entirely on the patient and her dignity, her comfort, and her emotional safety. He set aside his discomfort to prioritize her healing. A nurse on the unit later said, “Andy was the sunshine in a very dark storm.” He turned one of the most painful experiences of a patient’s life into a moment where she felt human again despite her circumstances. Andy did not just provide care. He made a profound difference. Andy embodies what we hope the future of nursing will be: compassionate, empathetic, humble, and deeply human.