I am writing to nominate the exceptional staff of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters for the DAISY Team Award.

My son was life-flighted from Langley AFB after finding a 5.4cm tumor in his brain stem. During one of the darkest moments in our family's life, the care we received from the PICU team went far beyond medical treatment. It was a profound demonstration of compassion, skill, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to the health, healing, and hope of our child. Since my son was life-flighted, the first people we met at CHKD were the PICU nurses. They were ready for our arrival and the teamwork they demonstrated was amazing. We spent a total of 10 days with the PICU nurses. The mission of Health, Healing, and Hope for All Children perfectly encapsulates the extraordinary care that we experienced.

My husband and I are both in the medical field, and I have never felt so confident and comfortable with someone caring for my child as I did with every single one of the PICU nurses. From the moment we entered the unit, the team immediately took steps to stabilize our child’s condition and ensure his well-being. The medical expertise demonstrated in assessing and addressing our child's needs was remarkable. The entire PICU team not only provided exceptional medical care but also demonstrated a deep sense of compassion in every interaction. They helped us navigate our son’s situation, answered our questions with patience, and continually reassured us throughout our stay. Their approach to healing went way beyond physical care. The PICU team was a constant source of hope for our family through their confidence, expertise, and continuous communication. The way they treated our child and our family, with respect and empathy, gave us the strength to face each new day, even with an unclear journey ahead. One of the most inspiring aspects of the care we received was the understanding that CHKD’s mission extends to all children, regardless of background or circumstances. The PICU team treated our child with dignity and kindness, making us feel valued every step of the way. The dedication, expertise, and empathy demonstrated by the PICU team truly exemplify CHKD’s mission.

As a nurse myself, I was truly impressed by the teamwork the PICU nurses showed day after day. In a highly stressful environment, there were constantly nurses helping each other. They were in each other’s rooms, helping hang fluids and even making sure everyone got lunch breaks. One of the nurses said she needed help, and immediately, 2-3 nurses showed up to help without hesitation. As a mother, I was thankful for the teamwork, and as a nurse, I was grateful to see fellow nurses working together so well. Different nurses would check in with us just to say hi or see how we were doing, even when they were not my son’s nurse. They were so compassionate and personable, and you could tell they all truly loved their job and coworkers. PICU nurses at CHKD care for the most critically ill children from infant to teenage years. They all remained focused, calm, and made quick decisions in such a high stressful environment. I am forever grateful for the care they provided, and it is with deep respect and admiration that I nominate the entire PICU team at CHKD for the DAISY Team Award. Their unwavering commitment to Health, Healing, and Hope for all children was evident in everything they did, and they embody the very best of what CHKD stands for. The PICU team was truly outstanding, and CHKD is lucky to have such a great unit with wonderful nurses!