Tina Wu, RN

I want to nominate Tina for a DAISY Award because of the way she cared for my husband while he was hospitalized. That was one of the hardest and scariest times our family has ever been through. We were overwhelmed the entire time. Seeing someone you love connected to so many machines is terrifying, and the sounds the machines made made everything feel even more serious. We were exhausted, scared, and did not know what each day would bring.

What I remember most about Tina was that, with all of that technology available, nothing reassured us more than the human side of my husband’s care. Even when he could not respond, this nurse still spoke to him kindly, explained what was happening, and treated him with so much dignity. Tina reminded us that he was still a person first, not just a critically ill patient. Tina was just as caring with our family; there were so many moments when we felt confused and helpless, but she always took the time to explain things in a way we could understand. Tina never seemed annoyed, never made us feel like we were in the way, and never made us feel silly for asking questions. She was patient, calm, and compassionate every single time she cared for him.

One moment I will never forget was how Tina helped us feel comfortable being close to him. We were so afraid of all the lines, tubes, and machines that we did not even know where to stand. She gently guided us, helped us hold his hand, and made space for us to just be with him. That meant more than I can put into words. During such a painful and uncertain time, Tina gave us comfort and brought a sense of peace into a room that otherwise felt filled with fear. She cared for my husband with skill, but also with so much heart. Because of her, we felt less alone. Our family will never forget Tina. The nurse made an unbearable situation a little more bearable, and that is something we will carry with us forever.