Ralph M Campoy
September 2025
Ralph M
Campoy
,
BSN, RN
Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU)
Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center
The Woodlands
,
TX
United States
Ralph didn't just care for my condition—he cared for me. He treated me with the kind of kindness and empathy that can’t be taught, only lived.
When I was rushed to the ICU for a hypertensive emergency, I was terrified. My blood pressure was dangerously high, and I felt like my body was turning against me. Everything moved so quickly — the alarms, the IVs, the unfamiliar language being tossed around. I had never felt more vulnerable or more alone.
That was until Nurse Ralph walked in. From the moment he introduced himself, something changed in the room. Ralph didn’t just acknowledge my condition; he acknowledged me. He looked me in the eyes, spoke in a calm, grounding voice, and let me know that I was in good hands. His presence alone brought my anxiety down in a way no medication could.
Throughout my two days in the ICU, Ralph was more than just my nurse — he was my lifeline. Every hour, every interaction, he carried himself with professionalism, deep compassion, and a sense of dignity that made me feel human again. He explained every test and every number on the monitor in terms I could understand. He never brushed off a question. He never made me feel like a burden.
What truly set Ralph apart happened on the second night. My blood pressure had begun to stabilize, but emotionally, I was unraveling. I couldn’t sleep. My thoughts were racing. The fear of what could have happened, what might still happen, kept looping in my mind. Ralph noticed—really noticed. He pulled up a chair beside my bed and asked if I wanted to talk. I didn’t even realize how much I needed to, but once I started, the floodgates opened. He listened without interrupting, without judgment. He stayed there with me, far past the time he needed to, helping me work through my fear and regain a sense of control.
At one point, he gently said, “You’re not just going to get through this—you’re already doing it.” That moment broke me in the best way. It was the first time since arriving that I truly believed I would be okay.
Ralph didn't just care for my condition—he cared for me. He treated me with the kind of kindness and empathy that can’t be taught, only lived.
When I think of what a DAISY Award stands for — extraordinary clinical skill paired with deep compassion — Ralph embodies every word. He made an overwhelming and frightening ICU experience feel safe, personal, and full of humanity. He deserves this award, not just for what he did for me, but for who he is. I will never forget him.
That was until Nurse Ralph walked in. From the moment he introduced himself, something changed in the room. Ralph didn’t just acknowledge my condition; he acknowledged me. He looked me in the eyes, spoke in a calm, grounding voice, and let me know that I was in good hands. His presence alone brought my anxiety down in a way no medication could.
Throughout my two days in the ICU, Ralph was more than just my nurse — he was my lifeline. Every hour, every interaction, he carried himself with professionalism, deep compassion, and a sense of dignity that made me feel human again. He explained every test and every number on the monitor in terms I could understand. He never brushed off a question. He never made me feel like a burden.
What truly set Ralph apart happened on the second night. My blood pressure had begun to stabilize, but emotionally, I was unraveling. I couldn’t sleep. My thoughts were racing. The fear of what could have happened, what might still happen, kept looping in my mind. Ralph noticed—really noticed. He pulled up a chair beside my bed and asked if I wanted to talk. I didn’t even realize how much I needed to, but once I started, the floodgates opened. He listened without interrupting, without judgment. He stayed there with me, far past the time he needed to, helping me work through my fear and regain a sense of control.
At one point, he gently said, “You’re not just going to get through this—you’re already doing it.” That moment broke me in the best way. It was the first time since arriving that I truly believed I would be okay.
Ralph didn't just care for my condition—he cared for me. He treated me with the kind of kindness and empathy that can’t be taught, only lived.
When I think of what a DAISY Award stands for — extraordinary clinical skill paired with deep compassion — Ralph embodies every word. He made an overwhelming and frightening ICU experience feel safe, personal, and full of humanity. He deserves this award, not just for what he did for me, but for who he is. I will never forget him.