September 2026 Honoree
David Shumate, RN
My mother-in-law, with a poor prognosis of metastatic carcinoma, was one of his patients. It's not often you walk into a room and hear a patient say, "Please go get my little angel!" I soon realized that Angel wasn’t little, sorry Dave. Though our time was short, I realized he was a big angel, heaven-sent, at just the right moment!
The first interaction with Dave was comical for all involved. My mother-in-law needed a complete bed change. I was shocked he was gloving up, and he was shocked we were gloving up. Lots of Humor followed! Laughter was surely the best medicine right then and there! No rushing, just pure great bedside manner. From there, I knew he truly was an angel.
On the day she took a turn, her diet had limits, and she wanted “those pancakes.” I went and discussed her diet, and he immediately messaged whoever to get those pancakes! She loved him and spoke of him like he was family. He made such an impact on my mother-in-law and cared for her so well that when she was transferred home, he was the first thing she wanted. It is so rare these days that a patient wants a nurse from a facility to come care for them at home.
Dave is not a nurse that writing this can describe the impact he had not only for my mother-in-law, but for my family as well. Though my mother-in-law and family loved him, I did too. Dave embodies everything a nurse should be. He entered quietly during her final days with decency and respect for perfect strangers who needed him more than he could imagine. He fought for her life. Despite winning or losing, he maintained a human side. He showed Grace, he showed mercy, he showed empathy, and he cared! He didn't know her until she was his patient.
Dave is exactly why the DAISY was started. To recognize, to reward, to acknowledge the great nurses who go above and beyond for their patients and the family. No one deserves this recognition, this honor, this pen, more than Dave.
The first interaction with Dave was comical for all involved. My mother-in-law needed a complete bed change. I was shocked he was gloving up, and he was shocked we were gloving up. Lots of Humor followed! Laughter was surely the best medicine right then and there! No rushing, just pure great bedside manner. From there, I knew he truly was an angel.
On the day she took a turn, her diet had limits, and she wanted “those pancakes.” I went and discussed her diet, and he immediately messaged whoever to get those pancakes! She loved him and spoke of him like he was family. He made such an impact on my mother-in-law and cared for her so well that when she was transferred home, he was the first thing she wanted. It is so rare these days that a patient wants a nurse from a facility to come care for them at home.
Dave is not a nurse that writing this can describe the impact he had not only for my mother-in-law, but for my family as well. Though my mother-in-law and family loved him, I did too. Dave embodies everything a nurse should be. He entered quietly during her final days with decency and respect for perfect strangers who needed him more than he could imagine. He fought for her life. Despite winning or losing, he maintained a human side. He showed Grace, he showed mercy, he showed empathy, and he cared! He didn't know her until she was his patient.
Dave is exactly why the DAISY was started. To recognize, to reward, to acknowledge the great nurses who go above and beyond for their patients and the family. No one deserves this recognition, this honor, this pen, more than Dave.
Thank you, David, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
View More Honorees