Jill Zuteck, BSN, RN

I am honored to nominate Jill Zuteck for the DAISY Award because what she provided me during my unexpected gallbladder surgery was far more than excellent clinical care. She restored my sense of safety during a deeply vulnerable time. The day before my surgery, I had a difficult experience in the Emergency Room where my concerns and pain felt dismissed by a physician and a physician assistant. I left that encounter feeling unheard and uncertain. So, when I returned for surgery the next day, I was not only physically uncomfortable but also emotionally guarded. This was my first unexpected surgery, and although I tried to mask my anxiety with humor, Jill saw right through it. Without ever making me feel exposed, she adjusted her care to meet what I was trying to hide. She steadied me. She listened. She made me feel believed. From the very beginning, she advocated for me in ways I did not even know I needed. She offered detailed post-operative care recommendations before I thought to ask. She anticipated needs I had not yet formed into words. That level of attentiveness does not come from routine task completion. It comes from genuine investment in patient well-being. Jill restored my faith in the hospital. She reminded me what compassionate, patient-centered care looks like.