I would like to nominate Professor Kalua for the DAISY Award because she is not only an exceptional educator but also a light in the lives of every student she teaches.

Professor Kalua embodies the spirit of compassionate, faith-driven nursing. As a Christian, she leads with grace, humility, and unwavering integrity—her faith is not only something she shares but something she lives out through her care for her students and commitment to excellence. Her encouragement doesn’t end when class is over; she prays with us, checks in on us when we’re struggling, and consistently reminds us that nursing is both a calling and a ministry.

She creates a learning environment where students feel safe, challenged, and deeply supported. Her passion for nursing is infectious, and her lectures come alive with not just clinical expertise but real-world wisdom, heartfelt stories, and spiritual encouragement. She models what it means to be a nurse who not only heals the body, but also sees the whole person—body, mind, and spirit.

Many of us entered nursing school overwhelmed and unsure. Professor Kalua reminded us daily that we were chosen for this path for a purpose. She constantly tells us, “You were made for this,” and somehow, in those words, we believe it. She has prayed over us before exams, stayed late to explain difficult concepts, and reminded us that even in our weakest moments, God’s strength is made perfect.

There are teachers who inform, and then there are teachers who transform. Professor Kalua is the latter. She has touched my life and the lives of countless others. Because of her, I will not just be a nurse—I will be a nurse who leads with compassion, confidence, and Christlike love.

Professor Kalua is the kind of educator who changes lives, one student—and one prayer—at a time.