Sarah Bast
August 2025
Sarah
Bast
,
BSN, RN, CPEN
Pediatric Emergency Department
University of Virginia Health
Charlottesville
,
VA
United States
Without being asked, without hesitation, Sarah called her husband at home and asked him to bring their own pack-and-play to the hospital. She did this quietly, humbly, and without seeking recognition — simply because it was the right thing to do.
It is with immense gratitude and admiration that I nominate Sarah Bast for the DAISY Award. Sarah consistently exemplifies what it means to be a compassionate, patient-centered nurse—but a recent interaction with a family in our Pediatric Emergency Department showed just how far she’s willing to go to make a difference in the lives of others.
During a night shift, Sarah was assigned to care for a pediatric patient who had been transferred to us from several hours away. The child arrived with their mother and 6-month-old sibling, all from out of state, with no local support system, no transportation, and no plan for how the mother would be able to stay with both of her children once the patient was admitted. Our inpatient rooms are small and typically can’t accommodate both a hospital bed and a crib. In most cases, siblings are asked not to stay overnight, or families are told to provide their own pack-and-play if staying together is unavoidable.
But this family didn’t have that option. They were alone, far from home, and without the resources to change their situation. The mother’s worry was palpable — not just about her hospitalized child, but also about how to keep her infant safe, where they would sleep, and whether they would be separated overnight.
That’s when Sarah stepped in — not just as a nurse, but as a human being with extraordinary empathy. Without being asked, without hesitation, Sarah called her husband at home and asked him to bring their own pack-and-play to the hospital. She did this quietly, humbly, and without seeking recognition — simply because it was the right thing to do.
Sarah’s selfless act ensured that the patient could be admitted without delay, and just as importantly, it gave a scared mother the ability to stay with both of her children in a safe and supportive environment. Her kindness lifted a tremendous burden off this family’s shoulders and gave them peace during a moment filled with uncertainty.
Sarah didn’t just provide excellent clinical care — she gave this family dignity, compassion, and the kind of support that can’t be taught. Her actions reflect the very heart of nursing. She saw a need, and she filled it—not because it was easy or convenient, but because that’s who she is.
This story is just one example of the extraordinary work of nurse Sarah. She brings that same empathy, heart, and dedication to every patient, every family, every shift. She embodies the spirit of the DAISY Award, and I can think of no one more deserving of it.
During a night shift, Sarah was assigned to care for a pediatric patient who had been transferred to us from several hours away. The child arrived with their mother and 6-month-old sibling, all from out of state, with no local support system, no transportation, and no plan for how the mother would be able to stay with both of her children once the patient was admitted. Our inpatient rooms are small and typically can’t accommodate both a hospital bed and a crib. In most cases, siblings are asked not to stay overnight, or families are told to provide their own pack-and-play if staying together is unavoidable.
But this family didn’t have that option. They were alone, far from home, and without the resources to change their situation. The mother’s worry was palpable — not just about her hospitalized child, but also about how to keep her infant safe, where they would sleep, and whether they would be separated overnight.
That’s when Sarah stepped in — not just as a nurse, but as a human being with extraordinary empathy. Without being asked, without hesitation, Sarah called her husband at home and asked him to bring their own pack-and-play to the hospital. She did this quietly, humbly, and without seeking recognition — simply because it was the right thing to do.
Sarah’s selfless act ensured that the patient could be admitted without delay, and just as importantly, it gave a scared mother the ability to stay with both of her children in a safe and supportive environment. Her kindness lifted a tremendous burden off this family’s shoulders and gave them peace during a moment filled with uncertainty.
Sarah didn’t just provide excellent clinical care — she gave this family dignity, compassion, and the kind of support that can’t be taught. Her actions reflect the very heart of nursing. She saw a need, and she filled it—not because it was easy or convenient, but because that’s who she is.
This story is just one example of the extraordinary work of nurse Sarah. She brings that same empathy, heart, and dedication to every patient, every family, every shift. She embodies the spirit of the DAISY Award, and I can think of no one more deserving of it.