I would like to nominate Kaley Hamilton, who cared for me during one of the most intimate and vulnerable experiences of my life—my labor and delivery. As a nursing instructor, I’ve had the honor of teaching many students, but having this student care for me during such a meaningful time gave me a whole new appreciation for the heart and skill our future nurses carry. The week leading up to my induction, we had a discussion about what to expect during the induction as this is not my area of expertise and I had alot of unanswered questions after a recent OB visit. Kaley was able to tell me what the process typically looked like at St. Luke's East and what to expect.

Given the predicted size of the baby, there was a lot of pressure to have a cesarean. Something I did not necessarily want if it was not needed. Kaley knew how important that was to me, and from the moment she walked into the room, she led with compassion. She made me feel seen, heard, and truly supported—not just as her instructor, but as a laboring mom. Her calm presence and kind demeanor helped me feel safe and comforted during every moment she was with me. What really stood out was her dedication to patient advocacy and quality care. She worked alongside her nurse to help me move into different positions to promote engagement of the baby in the pelvis. And let me tell you—getting on hands and knees with an epidural as a 6-foot-tall person is no easy task! But she was right there, helping me rotate positions and keep moving with encouragement and patience. She never once made me feel embarrassed or uncomfortable, even when I felt awkward or vulnerable.

And then there was the popsicle. After 16 hours of labor—and only being allowed jello and popsicles—she took the time to find me one that wasn’t orange. It may sound small, but in that moment, it meant everything. She paid attention to what mattered to me, even the little things, and went out of her way to bring comfort and care in every possible way. She exemplified everything we hope for in a nurse: clinical skill, compassion, confidence, and a commitment to doing what’s best for the patient.

It was an honor to have her by my side during such a significant moment in my life, and I’m incredibly proud to have played a small part in her nursing journey. This student is exactly the kind of nurse we all hope to have—and exactly the kind of nurse the DAISY Award is meant to recognize.