Emma Kiekhofer
January 2026
Emma
Kiekhofer
,
RN
12T
Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center
Milwaukee
,
WI
United States
A Constant Anchor in a Complex Journey
I am honored to nominate Emma for the DAISY Award. My mother’s admission to St. Luke’s was characterized by high stakes, physical suffering, and complex medical interventions. She arrived struggling and in pain. In the whirlwind of care, she became the constant anchor my mother—and our entire family—needed.
The Power of Presence
During her stay, my mother underwent a procedure to address her pain. Anyone who has watched a loved one go through surgery knows the anxiety of the "return to the floor." When my mother was wheeled back into her room, she was the very first person she saw.
It is often the small gestures that carry the most weight in a hospital. She didn’t just stand by the computer; she went directly to my mother’s side. Even behind a mask, her warmth and care were radiant. That immediate connection and smile provided an instant sense of safety, signaling to my mother that she was finally "home" and in good hands.
Clinical Excellence and Support
Her expertise was most evident when she was assigned as the RN for my mother’s infusion. This is an incredibly intense and sophisticated treatment, and the level of detail involved can be overwhelming for a patient and their family.
She took the time to sit with us, detailing every step of the infusion. She meticulously explained what to look for, the potential side effects, and the timeline of the recovery process. She transformed a clinical procedure into a shared journey, empowering us with knowledge and calming our fears with her evident competence.
I am honored to nominate Emma for the DAISY Award. My mother’s admission to St. Luke’s was characterized by high stakes, physical suffering, and complex medical interventions. She arrived struggling and in pain. In the whirlwind of care, she became the constant anchor my mother—and our entire family—needed.
The Power of Presence
During her stay, my mother underwent a procedure to address her pain. Anyone who has watched a loved one go through surgery knows the anxiety of the "return to the floor." When my mother was wheeled back into her room, she was the very first person she saw.
It is often the small gestures that carry the most weight in a hospital. She didn’t just stand by the computer; she went directly to my mother’s side. Even behind a mask, her warmth and care were radiant. That immediate connection and smile provided an instant sense of safety, signaling to my mother that she was finally "home" and in good hands.
Clinical Excellence and Support
Her expertise was most evident when she was assigned as the RN for my mother’s infusion. This is an incredibly intense and sophisticated treatment, and the level of detail involved can be overwhelming for a patient and their family.
She took the time to sit with us, detailing every step of the infusion. She meticulously explained what to look for, the potential side effects, and the timeline of the recovery process. She transformed a clinical procedure into a shared journey, empowering us with knowledge and calming our fears with her evident competence.