Brandi is a strong, culturally competent and compassionate nurse who is well known for going above and beyond for her patients. Recently, Brandi was assigned care to a young 24-year-old woman who had an unusually severe case of ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome). The patient ended up being cannulated Veno-Venous ECMO, leaving her with a poor prognosis. She would eventually require a Heart and Lung transplant, for which she was deemed an unfit candidate. This was a devastating blow to the fiancé and their 3 year old daughter.

Throughout the course of care, Brandi remained in constant communication with the perfusion team due to the fact that with subtle movement, the patient would desaturate to 60% , then take a while to recover. Plans had to be made in order to ensure patient safety. To preserve the patient's dignity,  Brandi went above and beyond to coordinate with the PCT (patient care technician) in order to help make the patient look her best for family visits. Brandi, along with the PCT, would braid the patient's hair and ensure that baths were done slowly and safely. The family witnessing the care that was being provided by Brandi would actively ask for her to be assigned to the room. They would also express their extreme gratitude for her and her care on a consistent basis. Once the day came when the decision was made to withdraw, Brandi, along with the Chaplain, were there to support the family during the process. Brandi, along with the family, exchanged tears together during this difficult time. Creating a caring environment, Brandi would utilize essential oils like lavender and eucalyptus to promote a calm and serene setting for the patient to rest. In doing so, she practiced holistic care and supported healing.

The family will forever remember Brandi and all that she did to support them in one of the most difficult times of their lives. During a routine echocardiogram, Brandi asked for consent from the family to record audio. Brandi then took it upon herself to coordinate the creation of a "Build-A-Bear" toy that contained the patient's heartbeat for the patient's daughter. She also facilitated the audio remastering of the patient's own song, which she sang, during her grandfather's eulogy.  This was then played in the room for the patient and family to hear. They were full of gratitude and emotion due to Brandi's consistent displays of loving kindness.

In short, I could think of no other nurse who fits the qualifications of a DAISY Award and all that it represents more than Brandi French.