Joy is the epitome of the nurse who illustrates both the DAISY Award and Loma Linda's values, as exhibited by her wholeness, compassion, humility, and excellence.

My child was hospitalized at the BMC due to being a danger to themselves. I grew up surrounded by the negative stigma of mental health, so I naturally adopted it for myself and my own family. When my daughter was placed on hold and admitted to the BMC, I was furious. There was no way my child was being hospitalized for something that I thought was fake. When I spoke to the doctors and therapists, I felt like my concerns and opinions were dismissed and judged, and my frustration only grew.

During visiting hours, I spoke to Joy, who was the nurse for my child. I admit to being unkind and unpleasant as I ranted about mental health being a hoax and that my child wasn’t dealing with a psychiatric crisis. As I spoke, Joy looked at me with concern and listened attentively.

She said, “It sounds like you have a lot of fear and anxiety for your daughter. I can see how much you love and care for her.” I was confused. She didn’t try to criticize or belittle me. But I tried to challenge her again, explaining how I didn’t want people to think my daughter was crazy for being in a psych ward. Joy said, “No one is crazy for seeing a cardiologist if they have a heart problem. Your daughter isn’t crazy for being at a mental health hospital to help her mental health.”

That was a moment of epiphany that left me speechless. Joy looked at the Bible in my hand that I brought for my child. She asked if it was okay for her to pray for me. I nodded. She prayed for my daughter to find healing in the hospital, for her treatment team to use God's guidance in caring for her, and for peace, wisdom, and understanding for the family.

I began to understand that my daughter desperately needed help, and that my support was critical to her well-being. I left that day feeling both validated and changed for the better. Joy continued to be the nurse for my child for several days of her hospitalization. Whenever I visited my daughter, she talked about how Joy took great care of her and how nice and approachable she was.

As I observed Joy interacting with other patients and families and running around completing tasks, it was clear that my daughter and I weren’t receiving special treatment from Joy, but rather, Joy made every patient and family feel special.

Whenever I saw Joy, she maintained professionalism and a kind, caring, patient, attentive, and understanding approach, even when she was busy. Joy was not the nurse for my child when she was discharged, so I never got the chance to thank her.

It has been a few months since my child was at the BMC, and we are doing amazing. Not only is she receiving the outpatient care that she needs, but I am also seeing a therapist for myself. My child expressed her career goal of becoming a pediatric mental health nurse to help kids the way Joy does.

If this is the impact Joy had on my family and me, I can’t imagine the help and care she has provided for the many patients who were in her care.

This DAISY Award nomination is just a small act of immense gratitude for Nurse Joy.

Joy, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for changing my child's and our family's lives for the better. There is no doubt that God provided you as a blessing in our lives.