Ryan Flowers
January 2026
Ryan
Flowers
,
BSN, RN, PCCN
Cardiac Interventional Unit
Orlando Health South Lake Hospital
Clermont
,
FL
United States
Ryan embodies the heart of nursing. His actions remind us that even in the busiest times, the simplest gestures—pausing, listening, and caring—can make all the difference.
During leadership rounding, I visited a patient who had just been admitted and was preparing for discharge after only two hours. When I asked about his experience, he shared that everyone had provided excellent care, but he especially appreciated his assigned nurse, Ryan, and his face lit up when he spoke about him.
The patient shared that Ryan noticed he seemed a little sad and took the time to ask questions and listen. He briefly explained his story to me. When I shared with Ryan how positively the patient spoke of him and their interaction, Ryan shared more, stating the patient had been in ED holds prior to arriving on our unit for a DVT. He was a very pleasant patient who was kind and understanding regarding the wait for a bed on the unit. During the admission process, Ryan asked about any recent major life events. The patient’s cheerful tone changed, and his eyes welled with tears as he quietly said, “Yes.” Ryan paused his documentation, placed a comforting hand on the patient’s shoulder, and gently asked if he had lost someone close. The patient replied, “My wife.”
Ryan asked how long they had been married, to which he answered, "33 years." Ryan asked if he wanted to share what happened, and the patient began to recount the events. He said that his wife had no symptoms except for a minor case of hematuria. They were originally told it was probably a UTI or bladder infection, and she was treated and sent home. Eventually, she had a progression of symptoms, and further workup was done, revealing uterine tumors. The oncologist performed a procedure to attempt to remove them, but when they opened her up, they realized the extent of what they were dealing with. The type of cancer she had was known for this type of "silent" presentation, and although they attempted 12 rounds of chemotherapy, his wife ultimately succumbed to her illness. All these events transpired within a year's time, but the thing the patient remembered most was his wife's constant positivity. It wasn't long after telling Ryan his story that he was cleared by vascular and discharged.
Though his stay was brief, Ryan’s compassion turned those two hours into a moment of healing. Before leaving, the patient thanked Ryan, saying he hadn’t realized how emotional returning to the hospital would be (his wife was treated at ORMC and SLH). Ryan shook his hand and patted his back as he showed him out to the ED parking lot.
Ryan later reflected that this was a reminder of “getting back to the basics.” Nursing is not only about clinical care; it’s about being present, asking one more question, and offering comfort during life’s hardest moments. Ryan’s empathy and kindness transformed what could have been a routine admission into a profound human connection.
Ryan embodies the heart of nursing. His actions remind us that even in the busiest times, the simplest gestures—pausing, listening, and caring—can make all the difference. He gave this patient more than medical care; he gave him dignity, compassion, and a safe space to grieve. That is the essence of the DAISY Award.
The patient shared that Ryan noticed he seemed a little sad and took the time to ask questions and listen. He briefly explained his story to me. When I shared with Ryan how positively the patient spoke of him and their interaction, Ryan shared more, stating the patient had been in ED holds prior to arriving on our unit for a DVT. He was a very pleasant patient who was kind and understanding regarding the wait for a bed on the unit. During the admission process, Ryan asked about any recent major life events. The patient’s cheerful tone changed, and his eyes welled with tears as he quietly said, “Yes.” Ryan paused his documentation, placed a comforting hand on the patient’s shoulder, and gently asked if he had lost someone close. The patient replied, “My wife.”
Ryan asked how long they had been married, to which he answered, "33 years." Ryan asked if he wanted to share what happened, and the patient began to recount the events. He said that his wife had no symptoms except for a minor case of hematuria. They were originally told it was probably a UTI or bladder infection, and she was treated and sent home. Eventually, she had a progression of symptoms, and further workup was done, revealing uterine tumors. The oncologist performed a procedure to attempt to remove them, but when they opened her up, they realized the extent of what they were dealing with. The type of cancer she had was known for this type of "silent" presentation, and although they attempted 12 rounds of chemotherapy, his wife ultimately succumbed to her illness. All these events transpired within a year's time, but the thing the patient remembered most was his wife's constant positivity. It wasn't long after telling Ryan his story that he was cleared by vascular and discharged.
Though his stay was brief, Ryan’s compassion turned those two hours into a moment of healing. Before leaving, the patient thanked Ryan, saying he hadn’t realized how emotional returning to the hospital would be (his wife was treated at ORMC and SLH). Ryan shook his hand and patted his back as he showed him out to the ED parking lot.
Ryan later reflected that this was a reminder of “getting back to the basics.” Nursing is not only about clinical care; it’s about being present, asking one more question, and offering comfort during life’s hardest moments. Ryan’s empathy and kindness transformed what could have been a routine admission into a profound human connection.
Ryan embodies the heart of nursing. His actions remind us that even in the busiest times, the simplest gestures—pausing, listening, and caring—can make all the difference. He gave this patient more than medical care; he gave him dignity, compassion, and a safe space to grieve. That is the essence of the DAISY Award.