September 2026 Honoree
Dylan Tesmer, BSN, RN
I am writing this nomination through tears of immense gratitude for Dylan. My husband survived a catastrophic, high-impact car accident involving trauma-induced severe injuries. He was fighting for his life in the ICU, heavily sedated, paralyzed, and on a ventilator.
Following a long, complex surgery, my husband’s body began "third-spacing" fluid at a terrifying rate, which began rapidly filling his lungs. The hospital called our family, telling us we needed to rush back to his bedside because he might not make it through the night. The medical team fought hard and managed to get his blood pressure stabilized around midnight to begin slowly pulling fluid.
Because of Dylan's incredible previous work with my husband, he was the exact nurse I requested to take over his care the following day. Knowing Dylan was walking into that room for the day shift was the only thing that quieted my panic. Once the doctors got my husband through that terrifying night, Dylan took the baton and ran with it beautifully.
My husband is still actively fighting for his life right now, and he is doing so with the unwavering help and dedication of Dylan by his side. Dylan's clinical expertise is unmatched. He has been aggressive, precise, and calculated in utilizing the machine to pull fluid off my husband's fragile system. Because of Dylan's clinical mastery and hyper-vigilance, my husband's lungs are getting the relief they need, and his numbers are stabilizing.
Dylan is the definition of a nurse you can trust. He is fiercely calm, deeply patient, and takes the time to listen and explain every single buzzer, line, and number to a terrified family. Because I know with absolute certainty that Dylan is watching over my husband during the day, I have finally been able to close my eyes and get real, life-saving rest.
Dylan’s excellence is recognized by everyone around him. During our stay, I witnessed multiple other ICU nurses coming to Dylan for advice and clinical help. Despite handling my husband's complex, high-acuity care, Dylan never hesitated; he always said "yes" and stepped up to help his colleagues. On top of all of this, he was seamlessly precepting and training a nurse new to the unit that very same day, modeling what world-class nursing looks like.
Dylan represents the absolute pinnacle of the nursing profession. He is championing my husband's recovery with his brilliant care and saving my sanity by being a beacon of trust, peace, and safety. He is an extraordinary leader, a master of his craft, and a hero to our family. Dylan is profoundly deserving of the DAISY Award.
Following a long, complex surgery, my husband’s body began "third-spacing" fluid at a terrifying rate, which began rapidly filling his lungs. The hospital called our family, telling us we needed to rush back to his bedside because he might not make it through the night. The medical team fought hard and managed to get his blood pressure stabilized around midnight to begin slowly pulling fluid.
Because of Dylan's incredible previous work with my husband, he was the exact nurse I requested to take over his care the following day. Knowing Dylan was walking into that room for the day shift was the only thing that quieted my panic. Once the doctors got my husband through that terrifying night, Dylan took the baton and ran with it beautifully.
My husband is still actively fighting for his life right now, and he is doing so with the unwavering help and dedication of Dylan by his side. Dylan's clinical expertise is unmatched. He has been aggressive, precise, and calculated in utilizing the machine to pull fluid off my husband's fragile system. Because of Dylan's clinical mastery and hyper-vigilance, my husband's lungs are getting the relief they need, and his numbers are stabilizing.
Dylan is the definition of a nurse you can trust. He is fiercely calm, deeply patient, and takes the time to listen and explain every single buzzer, line, and number to a terrified family. Because I know with absolute certainty that Dylan is watching over my husband during the day, I have finally been able to close my eyes and get real, life-saving rest.
Dylan’s excellence is recognized by everyone around him. During our stay, I witnessed multiple other ICU nurses coming to Dylan for advice and clinical help. Despite handling my husband's complex, high-acuity care, Dylan never hesitated; he always said "yes" and stepped up to help his colleagues. On top of all of this, he was seamlessly precepting and training a nurse new to the unit that very same day, modeling what world-class nursing looks like.
Dylan represents the absolute pinnacle of the nursing profession. He is championing my husband's recovery with his brilliant care and saving my sanity by being a beacon of trust, peace, and safety. He is an extraordinary leader, a master of his craft, and a hero to our family. Dylan is profoundly deserving of the DAISY Award.
Thank you, Dylan, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
View More Honorees