It is with immense pleasure and without reservation that I nominate Tami Davis, a Nurse at the VA in Columbus, Ohio, for the prestigious DAISY Award. My name is Lyn Hamilton, and I am a retired OR Nurse of 31 years. My encounter with Tami and the subsequent impact she has had on my family exemplifies the clinical excellence and outstanding compassionate care that this award seeks to recognize. 

 

My husband, John, a retired Marine Colonel, and I met Tami during a family vacation in July of this year. What began as a casual conversation sparked by John's Marine Corps hat quickly revealed Tami's deep commitment to service and her unwavering dedication to veterans. 

 

Upon learning that our son receives care at the Columbus VA, she offered her assistance should he ever encounter any difficulties. True to her word, Tami has gone above and beyond to support our son. He called, and she answered. She helped to facilitate a change in his primary care provider, worked with her nurses to get him connected with a mental health provider closer to his home, and recently assisted with a complex billing issue stemming from an urgent care visit in the community. 

 

Her proactive approach, thorough research, and effective communication with the patient advocates and billing departments were instrumental in helping to resolve this matter. Furthermore, she has personally greeted and escorted him to his appointments, demonstrating a level of care that extends far beyond the expected. 

 

Tami's dedication is particularly remarkable because it began while she was on vacation with her family. Her willingness to assist, her prompt responses, and her genuine concern for our son's well-being have been an incredible blessing to our family. While care and compassion are expected of nurses, Tami's actions demonstrate an extraordinary level of commitment that truly embodies the spirit of the DAISY Award. 

 

She has reaffirmed for our family what it truly means to be an exceptional nurse. As a retired nurse, I understand the impact that a simple act can make on a family, and with that, I feel this award is quite appropriate since our initial meeting with Tami began with coffee, conversation, and a cinnamon roll.