I was hospitalized for a week at the Mayo Clinic Saint Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. I was placed under inpatient care for extreme hyponatremia following an extended time away from work due to COVID. While I was admitted under inpatient care, all the nurses, providers, and personal care assistants were exemplary and went above and beyond to attend to all of my needs. The nephrology team was particularly responsive in holding multiple care conferences with me, as well as internal medicine.

However, one nurse easily stood out amongst the rest. Justin provided care for me over the weekend and was by far the best nurse I have ever encountered. I have been working as a CNA for the Mayo Clinic for five years, and I have never met a nurse with a better bedside manner or more exacting precision when providing complete care for a patient. I had just been awarded a full tuition scholarship from the Mayo Clinic to earn a one-year, second bachelor's in nursing and hoped to start 2026 as an RN. I mentioned this in passing to Justin, and that given my weakened state, I did not think that I had what it takes to make it through school and full-time work as well as become a nurse. He assured me that I would get better, that I would feel differently, and that after recovering, I should follow through with my intent to start my degree program.

I started the ABSN, or accelerated one-year post-baccalaureate program, to earn the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in January of 2025, and completed my degree program. I understand much better how exceptional Justin was as a nurse, having graduated. It meant a lot to leave the hospital to have the encouragement from the best nurse on my care team (and there were many excellent nurses) to continue my education and not give up on the full tuition scholarship to earn my nursing degree. Lying in a hospital bed, I did not think it would be possible, but Justin believed in me and encouraged me to reconsider. I took that with me upon discharge and have him to thank for my promotion - after five years of working at Mayo Clinic as a CNA, I will be starting as a registered nurse.

I know in my heart that he exemplifies everything The DAISY Award stands for and will be a lifelong exemplar for the highest standard in nursing practice.