We had the privilege of having Ally as our nurse during one of the most critical moments of our daughter, R’s, time in the PICU: the day she was extubated. It was a tense and emotional experience for us as parents, but her presence brought a deep sense of calm. From the moment the team entered the room, Ally was focused and steady. She stayed right by my R’s side, monitoring every detail with clear-headed diligence. At one point during the process, another staff member asked Ally to step away and assist with something else. In a respectful and professional manner, she responded that she would not be leaving her patient. She calmly but clearly prioritized staying with R, advocating for her in real-time. As a parent, that moment meant everything to us. Knowing that someone was not only present but willing to speak up for what was best for our child, even under pressure, was incredible. We couldn’t be near our daughter during the actual procedure, but knowing Ally was right there, giving her the same level of attention and care we would have given ourselves, brought us immense peace. She never seemed overwhelmed or distracted. She was locked in, and that gave us confidence that R was in the best possible hands.

Over the next few days, Ally continued to exceed expectations. She explained complex medical information in ways we could understand, advocated for our daughter’s needs with clarity and care, and even checked on us personally. Encouraging us to take breaks and care for ourselves during an incredibly difficult season. She always seemed to be one step ahead, anticipating needs before they arose. And any time our daughter needed something, Ally was there right away. On top of that, she was also training a new nurse. She did an incredible job balancing both roles, creating space for teaching moments, offering guidance, and building up another nurse while still giving our daughter excellent care. Her orientee was also fantastic and is worthy of recognition in her own right. We’ve had multiple hospital stays and worked with many great nurses, but Ally truly stands out. If we could request her every time, we would. To our understanding, she embodies everything the DAISY Award is meant to recognize: clinical excellence, compassionate care, strong advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to her patients.