Joe Caldwell
January 2026
Joe
Caldwell
,
RN
Emergency Department
Eskenazi Health
Indianapolis
,
IN
United States
Joe’s inclusive and empathetic approach, along with the consistent kindness shown by the rest of the staff, made an already difficult experience feel safe and human.
Nurse Joe showed exceptional compassion and dedication to my wife during a medical emergency that left us both scared and uncertain. After my wife sustained a serious eye injury during military training in January of 2026, we sought care at another facility but left without clear answers or relief. As the night went on, her pain became unbearable. Feeling helpless, we began reaching out to hospitals in hopes someone could truly help.
When we contacted Eskenazi, they immediately explained they were a Level 1 trauma center and could arrange for an ophthalmologist to evaluate her, which gave us our first sense of hope that night. We arrived at the emergency department close to 11:00 p.m. Even with a packed waiting room, my wife was brought back quickly.
Nurse Joe met us shortly after, and from the start, his presence changed the entire experience. He was calm, attentive, and incredibly kind, treating my wife with dignity and compassion at a moment when she was in visible pain. As her spouse, it was deeply reassuring to see someone take her condition so seriously.
Throughout our time in the emergency department, Nurse Joe checked in frequently, explained next steps, and made sure we understood what was happening. He never rushed us and never made us feel like an inconvenience. An optometrist evaluated my wife within an hour and provided excellent care, but Nurse Joe’s attentiveness did not stop there.
After the specialist visit, he returned to ensure everything was in order and noticed that her prescription had not yet been delivered. Without being asked, he immediately took action to locate it so her pain could be addressed without further delay. That moment alone speaks volumes about the kind of nurse he is. Joe’s empathy, advocacy, and professionalism made an overwhelming and frightening night far more manageable. Although not a life-threatening injury, he made it clear we were still his top priority.
As a same-sex couple, there are moments in healthcare settings where vulnerability can feel heightened. From the moment we arrived, Nurse Joe set the tone with his kindness, professionalism, and genuine compassion. He treated us with respect, warmth, and dignity, never making us feel different or uncomfortable — only supported and cared for as a family. Joe’s inclusive and empathetic approach, along with the consistent kindness shown by the rest of the staff, made an already difficult experience feel safe and human. His actions truly reflect the values of compassionate, patient-centered care. Although the person you marry shouldn’t affect the care or bedside service you receive, it often does. Joe was amazing, and it was more than refreshing to witness.
I’m sure that how he treated us today is how he cares for all his patients and with that, I will always refer my friends and family to Eskenazi. We even live in Bargersville, and I told my wife that if anything ever happens to me and I need to go to an ER, to never take me anywhere but Eskenazi. I can only hope that Joe will be working if we must return, heaven forbid. If he is not, it’s clear that his devotion and love have influenced those around him, as they all provided more than adequate care. Thank you again to the ER team for making this trip in the middle of the night a more than tolerable experience.
***
Nurse Joe provided exceptional care to me during a very frightening and painful experience. In January of 2026, I sustained a severe eye injury during military training. I was initially seen at Johnson Memorial, but unfortunately, my injury was not thoroughly evaluated. After returning home, my pain continued to worsen. My spouse and I began calling nearby hospitals, and Eskenazi immediately stood out by explaining they were a Level 1 Trauma center and that an ophthalmologist could be paged to evaluate my injury.
We arrived at the Eskenazi Emergency Department around 11:00 p.m. Despite a full waiting room, I was taken back to a room almost immediately. From that moment on, Nurse Joe provided nothing short of outstanding care. He was compassionate, attentive, knowledgeable, and incredibly personable. He took the time to answer questions, explain what was happening, and genuinely made me feel cared for during an overwhelming situation.
Within an hour of our arrival, an ophthalmologist came to evaluate me and provided excellent care. Shortly afterward, Nurse Joe returned to check on me and realized my prescription was missing. Without hesitation, he took it upon himself to track it down so my pain could be relieved as quickly as possible. Nurse Joe went above and beyond what is expected of a nurse. His bedside manner, advocacy, and genuine kindness made an extremely stressful situation feel manageable and safe.
Although my injury was not life-threatening, it was the worst pain of my life. Seeing Joe, who was busy with other patients, codes, and emergencies, still act as though I was a top priority was inspiring. I will always be grateful for the care he provided and believe he truly embodies the spirit of the DAISY Award.
When we contacted Eskenazi, they immediately explained they were a Level 1 trauma center and could arrange for an ophthalmologist to evaluate her, which gave us our first sense of hope that night. We arrived at the emergency department close to 11:00 p.m. Even with a packed waiting room, my wife was brought back quickly.
Nurse Joe met us shortly after, and from the start, his presence changed the entire experience. He was calm, attentive, and incredibly kind, treating my wife with dignity and compassion at a moment when she was in visible pain. As her spouse, it was deeply reassuring to see someone take her condition so seriously.
Throughout our time in the emergency department, Nurse Joe checked in frequently, explained next steps, and made sure we understood what was happening. He never rushed us and never made us feel like an inconvenience. An optometrist evaluated my wife within an hour and provided excellent care, but Nurse Joe’s attentiveness did not stop there.
After the specialist visit, he returned to ensure everything was in order and noticed that her prescription had not yet been delivered. Without being asked, he immediately took action to locate it so her pain could be addressed without further delay. That moment alone speaks volumes about the kind of nurse he is. Joe’s empathy, advocacy, and professionalism made an overwhelming and frightening night far more manageable. Although not a life-threatening injury, he made it clear we were still his top priority.
As a same-sex couple, there are moments in healthcare settings where vulnerability can feel heightened. From the moment we arrived, Nurse Joe set the tone with his kindness, professionalism, and genuine compassion. He treated us with respect, warmth, and dignity, never making us feel different or uncomfortable — only supported and cared for as a family. Joe’s inclusive and empathetic approach, along with the consistent kindness shown by the rest of the staff, made an already difficult experience feel safe and human. His actions truly reflect the values of compassionate, patient-centered care. Although the person you marry shouldn’t affect the care or bedside service you receive, it often does. Joe was amazing, and it was more than refreshing to witness.
I’m sure that how he treated us today is how he cares for all his patients and with that, I will always refer my friends and family to Eskenazi. We even live in Bargersville, and I told my wife that if anything ever happens to me and I need to go to an ER, to never take me anywhere but Eskenazi. I can only hope that Joe will be working if we must return, heaven forbid. If he is not, it’s clear that his devotion and love have influenced those around him, as they all provided more than adequate care. Thank you again to the ER team for making this trip in the middle of the night a more than tolerable experience.
***
Nurse Joe provided exceptional care to me during a very frightening and painful experience. In January of 2026, I sustained a severe eye injury during military training. I was initially seen at Johnson Memorial, but unfortunately, my injury was not thoroughly evaluated. After returning home, my pain continued to worsen. My spouse and I began calling nearby hospitals, and Eskenazi immediately stood out by explaining they were a Level 1 Trauma center and that an ophthalmologist could be paged to evaluate my injury.
We arrived at the Eskenazi Emergency Department around 11:00 p.m. Despite a full waiting room, I was taken back to a room almost immediately. From that moment on, Nurse Joe provided nothing short of outstanding care. He was compassionate, attentive, knowledgeable, and incredibly personable. He took the time to answer questions, explain what was happening, and genuinely made me feel cared for during an overwhelming situation.
Within an hour of our arrival, an ophthalmologist came to evaluate me and provided excellent care. Shortly afterward, Nurse Joe returned to check on me and realized my prescription was missing. Without hesitation, he took it upon himself to track it down so my pain could be relieved as quickly as possible. Nurse Joe went above and beyond what is expected of a nurse. His bedside manner, advocacy, and genuine kindness made an extremely stressful situation feel manageable and safe.
Although my injury was not life-threatening, it was the worst pain of my life. Seeing Joe, who was busy with other patients, codes, and emergencies, still act as though I was a top priority was inspiring. I will always be grateful for the care he provided and believe he truly embodies the spirit of the DAISY Award.