Margaret "Peg" Eisenhardt
December 2025
Margaret "Peg"
Eisenhardt
,
R.N.
Med-Surg
Jones Memorial Hospital
Wellsville
,
NY
United States
She arranged for him to visit the cafeteria and choose his own meals, which not only addressed his nutritional needs but also provided him with an opportunity to engage in social interactions, something he had been lacking for a long time.
I would like to nominate Peg for the DAISY Award in recognition of her unwavering dedication, creative thinking, and extraordinary compassion in caring for a particularly challenging patient. The patient, a mid-40’s male who had been hospitalized for over 150 days, faced a complex array of social, physical, emotional, and psychological challenges. These difficulties, combined with a long history of health struggles and personal setbacks, made it incredibly difficult to secure a safe and suitable discharge plan.
Despite the patient’s anger and verbal outbursts, Peg remained calm, patient, and kind, offering him empathy without judgment. She consistently engaged with him, sitting with him during difficult moments, listening to his frustrations, and handling his verbal abuse with remarkable grace.
Peg’s commitment went far beyond simply providing care-she became his advocate. She demonstrated creative thinking by encouraging the patient to regain some sense of agency in his own care. When the patient struggled with severe malnutrition and weighed less than 90 pounds, Peg found a way to help him rebuild his confidence and independence. She arranged for him to visit the cafeteria and choose his own meals, which not only addressed his nutritional needs but also provided him with an opportunity to engage in social interactions, something he had been lacking for a long time.
In addition to her compassionate care, Peg worked tirelessly to ensure that the patient had access to the right resources and support he needed after discharge. She reached out to multiple agencies, organizations, and facilities to help secure a safe environment for him and ensure the continuation of his care. Thanks to her advocacy and determination, Peg provided this patient with a sense of dignity and respect that he so desperately needed.
Peg’s exceptional care and advocacy for this patient exemplify the values of the DAISY Award. Her dedication to providing compassionate, patient-centered care and her ability to creatively solve problems in challenging situations are truly deserving of recognition.
Despite the patient’s anger and verbal outbursts, Peg remained calm, patient, and kind, offering him empathy without judgment. She consistently engaged with him, sitting with him during difficult moments, listening to his frustrations, and handling his verbal abuse with remarkable grace.
Peg’s commitment went far beyond simply providing care-she became his advocate. She demonstrated creative thinking by encouraging the patient to regain some sense of agency in his own care. When the patient struggled with severe malnutrition and weighed less than 90 pounds, Peg found a way to help him rebuild his confidence and independence. She arranged for him to visit the cafeteria and choose his own meals, which not only addressed his nutritional needs but also provided him with an opportunity to engage in social interactions, something he had been lacking for a long time.
In addition to her compassionate care, Peg worked tirelessly to ensure that the patient had access to the right resources and support he needed after discharge. She reached out to multiple agencies, organizations, and facilities to help secure a safe environment for him and ensure the continuation of his care. Thanks to her advocacy and determination, Peg provided this patient with a sense of dignity and respect that he so desperately needed.
Peg’s exceptional care and advocacy for this patient exemplify the values of the DAISY Award. Her dedication to providing compassionate, patient-centered care and her ability to creatively solve problems in challenging situations are truly deserving of recognition.