Cara Dufrene, BS, MPH, BSN, RN

I am honored to nominate Cara for the DAISY Award in recognition of her exceptional clinical vigilance, profound empathy, and unwavering commitment to patient safety during a critical psychiatric crisis. While working in the infusion suite, Cara identified a patient expressing active suicidal ideation. Recognizing the acute risk, she immediately intervened with extraordinary compassion. For over two consecutive hours, she provided dedicated nursing counseling, creating a safe, non-judgmental space for the patient during one of their most vulnerable moments. Her ability to balance the fast-paced demands of the infusion suite while dedicating hours of undivided emotional and clinical support to a patient in crisis represents the highest standard of nursing care. When the patient ultimately decided to leave the infusion suite against medical recommendations, Cara did not stop advocating for their safety. She calmly and professionally navigated the situation, ensuring the patient was equipped with appropriate resources and a clear recommendation for immediate psychiatric care. She coordinated closely with the broader care team to ensure proper follow-up and safety measures were initiated even after the patient left the unit. Cara demonstrated outstanding clinical expertise, deep humanity, and decisive leadership. She went far beyond her primary duties to ensure this patient was seen, heard, and protected. She is profoundly deserving of the DAISY Award.