I am honored to nominate Hilary, RN, for the DAISY Award in recognition of her exceptional compassion, communication, and advocacy while caring for an oncology patient and her husband, who made the difficult decision to transition from active treatment to hospice care. The patient had been fighting metastatic pancreatic cancer for almost 2 years. When treatment options were no longer available and rapid disease progression, the patient and her husband were overwhelmed, frightened, and unsure how to move forward, stating that they did not want to give up on fighting the cancer. Hilary—not rushing, not interrupting, simply being present—took multiple phone calls over three days. She coordinated care between the medical oncologist and palliative care nurse practitioner to help explain that the patient’s symptoms and conditions were most likely more a result of the advanced disease process. She spoke with honesty and kindness, offering no false hope yet giving them something equally important: clarity and safety in a moment of profound grief. Over the three days, Hilary became the husband’s anchor. When the patient’s husband struggled with increasing nausea, vomiting, increased weakness, and confusion, she gently assessed the patient’s symptoms, advocated for better comfort measures, and reassured the husband that choosing hospice was not “giving up,” but choosing peace and dignity. When the decision was made to transition to hospice, Hilary coordinated each step seamlessly: communicating with the hospice team, preparing the husband for what to expect, and ensuring that the patient’s wishes were honored. The patient passed a day peacefully after enrolling in hospice. Hilary exemplifies the spirit of the DAISY Award. Her compassion, empathy, and unwavering advocacy transformed a medical decision into a meaningful, supported, and peaceful transition. She not only delivered exceptional nursing care—she changed the experience of an overwhelmed spouse during one of the hardest times.

Hilary's actions brought clarity and emotional safety during a difficult and overwhelming time for the patient and the patient's husband. When treatment options were no longer available, Hilary helped the husband understand that the patient's symptoms were likely from the advanced stages of disease with honesty and kindness, giving them clarity at a moment of profound grief. By gently assessing the worsening symptoms and advocating for better comfort measures, Hilary ensured the patient experienced relief and dignity during end-of-life decisions. Hilary's compassion and unwavering advocacy didn’t just meet clinical needs—they profoundly changed the emotional experience for both patient and spouse, turning fear and confusion into peace and support.