Ashley Hughes
December 2025
Ashley
Hughes
,
ASN, RN
Emergency Department
Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital
Muncie
,
IN
United States
Ashley had the foresight and compassion to ensure these individuals left the ED with the protection that they needed.
I am writing to wholeheartedly nominate Ashley Hughes for the DAISY Award for the exceptional compassion and profound generosity she demonstrated during a recent cold snap. She not only provides excellent clinical care but also goes above and beyond standard duties in a way that makes a meaningful difference in the lives of some of our most vulnerable patients. During any given shift when temperatures are below freezing, the Emergency Department sees an influx of patients experiencing homelessness or who are otherwise unprepared for the severe cold. Many arrive without adequate jackets, hats, or gloves. Observing this critical need, Ashley took it upon herself to mobilize resources beyond the hospital’s immediate supply. Instead of simply treating their immediate medical needs and sending them back into the cold, Ashley had the foresight and compassion to ensure these individuals left the ED with the protection that they needed. She personally donated a supply of cold-weather gear, including hats, gloves, and hand warmers, and made them available to all ED staff to distribute them discreetly and kindly to patients upon discharge. Taking it one step further, she told other staff about what she wanted to accomplish and took donations from them as well to purchase even more supplies that will be used by many all winter long. This act of kindness is a powerful example of nursing excellence, demonstrating remarkable compassion and a commitment to patient well-being that extends beyond the hospital walls. Ashley understood that true healing and safety involved addressing the basic human need for warmth and protection from the elements. This generosity of spirit provided essential comfort and dignity to patients during an incredibly vulnerable time, making a lasting impression on everyone who witnessed it. Ashley embodies the values of the DAISY Award: she is a role model for compassionate care, an excellent problem-solver, and has made a significant positive impact on a patient’s experience. I am incredibly grateful for nurses like Ashley who treat every patient with dignity and ensure their well-being is a top priority, both inside and outside the clinical setting.