I am a child life specialist at RUSH who works with children of adult patients. I am nominating Jessica for a DAISY Award because of her outstanding, compassionate care during a recent difficult case that we collaborated on. Jess and I worked together to support her patient, a 38-year-old woman at the end of her life. Jess’s exceptional skill, empathy, and presence were evident in every interaction throughout the day, with the patient, her many loved ones, and the team, and made a profoundly difficult day as manageable and meaningful as possible for this family.

The patient was clearly a beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. Throughout the day, she was surrounded by her husband, three young children, and many extended family members and friends who came to say goodbye. Jess reached out to me early on, ensuring that I was prepared for the arrival of the patient’s three young children and that I could assess what support they might need throughout what was sure to be an exceedingly challenging day. When I arrived at the unit, Jess was already present in the patient’s room, holding the patient’s hand and speaking calmly to her while waiting for her husband to meet with the medical team. Jess’s compassion was evident in every gesture, providing comfort and dignity to the patient throughout the day.

When the patient’s husband returned, he was understandably overwhelmed by the situation and unable to verbalize what supports might be beneficial; Jess was able to intuit some of the family’s needs, offering invaluable support without being asked. She stepped up to take on delicate tasks, such as enforcing visitor restrictions that the patient would have wanted, coordinating visits to ensure everyone could say goodbye, and providing thoughtful comforts like snacks and coffee for the family.

Throughout the day, Jess maintained clear and consistent communication with both the patient’s husband and me, seamlessly coordinating the many family members and friends who came to say their goodbyes. She worked to ensure that the patient was calm and comfortable and encouraged family and friends to wait outside the unit. In doing so, she created an emotionally safe environment for the patient’s children to spend their last moments together with both of their parents, to complete meaningful family projects (hand and fingerprints), and say their goodbyes. Jess’s mindfulness, thoughtfulness, and compassion not only allowed the patient’s husband to remain present with his wife during their final hours together but also made my role in supporting her children much easier, and made it possible for each of us to provide the best support possible to this family during a very challenging time.

I feel incredibly fortunate to have partnered with Jess on this case, and I was deeply honored to witness her work. It is my privilege to nominate her for this recognition.