Kyla Hauger
July 2026
Kyla
Hauger
,
RN
Brookings Health System
Brookings
,
SD
United States
As a parent, trusting someone else with your child's care, especially during a life-threatening medical situation, is one of the hardest things imaginable. Kyla earned that trust completely
I am honored to recognize an extraordinary nurse named Kyla, who cared for my daughter during her eleven-day hospital admission for rhabdomyolysis.
What could have been one of the most frightening experiences of our lives was made bearable and even comforting because of the compassion, skill, and presence Kyla demonstrated from the very beginning.
Kyla was the nurse who admitted my daughter to the hospital, and fittingly, she was also there to see her safely discharged at the end of her stay. Throughout those eleven days, Kyla provided not only exceptional clinical care but also a consistent sense of safety and reassurance. Even on days when she was not assigned to my daughter's care, Kyla took the time to check in on her, making sure she was doing okay and offering words of encouragement. That extra effort meant more to our family than she will likely ever know.
When my daughter was admitted, her condition was severe, and the seriousness of her condition was overwhelming. To make matters even harder, we were more than seven and a half hours away in northern WI. Knowing our daughter was facing something so serious without us physically by her side was terrifying.
In addition, my daughter lives with OCD and anxiety, which can make medical situations especially overwhelming for her. Kyla recognized this immediately. She approached my daughter with honesty, patience, and just the right amount of humor and spunk, meeting her exactly where she needed it. Her ability to be real, reassuring, and gently lighthearted when appropriate helped ease my daughter's anxiety in ways that medication alone never could.
From the moment Kyla stepped into the room, she became more than a caregiver; she became a steady source of reassurance and calm for all three of us. She took the time to explain what was happening clearly and thoughtfully, helping both my daughter and us understand the diagnosis and plan of care, even from a distance. She never rushed conversations or dismissed concerns.
I would also like to acknowledge that this recognition is being submitted nearly a year after my daughter's hospitalization. I am not sure when the DAISY Award is given or how it even works, but I believe, as a public school teacher, it is never too late to recognize someone who has done quality work because it is often not done.
This delay was not because we ever doubted that Kyla was worthy of such recognition, but because at the time, we had no comparison beyond the nurses within that hospital. It was only later, when my mother underwent lung cancer surgery in a different medical setting in Green Bay, WI, that I fully understood just how exceptional Kyla truly is and how Brookings Hospital is an amazing care facility.
Through that experience, I became acutely aware of the rare combination of technical skill, clinical awareness, emotional intelligence, and calm confidence that Kyla demonstrated while caring for my daughter. The level of attentiveness, critical thinking, and compassionate presence she provided was truly exceptional and stood out in ways that could not be ignored.
As a parent, trusting someone else with your child's care, especially during a life-threatening medical situation, is one of the hardest things imaginable. Kyla earned that trust completely. She cared not only for my daughter's physical health but also for her emotional well-being, and she gave us peace of mind during a time filled with fear and uncertainty.
Kyla embodies everything the DAISY Award represents: exceptional clinical skill, deep compassion, advocacy, and genuine humanity. Because of her, our daughter's hospital experience was filled with dignity, reassurance, and extraordinary care during one of the most challenging moments of her life.
Our family will forever be grateful for the difference she made. She is truly deserving of recognition, and I cannot imagine a more fitting recipient of the DAISY Award.
What could have been one of the most frightening experiences of our lives was made bearable and even comforting because of the compassion, skill, and presence Kyla demonstrated from the very beginning.
Kyla was the nurse who admitted my daughter to the hospital, and fittingly, she was also there to see her safely discharged at the end of her stay. Throughout those eleven days, Kyla provided not only exceptional clinical care but also a consistent sense of safety and reassurance. Even on days when she was not assigned to my daughter's care, Kyla took the time to check in on her, making sure she was doing okay and offering words of encouragement. That extra effort meant more to our family than she will likely ever know.
When my daughter was admitted, her condition was severe, and the seriousness of her condition was overwhelming. To make matters even harder, we were more than seven and a half hours away in northern WI. Knowing our daughter was facing something so serious without us physically by her side was terrifying.
In addition, my daughter lives with OCD and anxiety, which can make medical situations especially overwhelming for her. Kyla recognized this immediately. She approached my daughter with honesty, patience, and just the right amount of humor and spunk, meeting her exactly where she needed it. Her ability to be real, reassuring, and gently lighthearted when appropriate helped ease my daughter's anxiety in ways that medication alone never could.
From the moment Kyla stepped into the room, she became more than a caregiver; she became a steady source of reassurance and calm for all three of us. She took the time to explain what was happening clearly and thoughtfully, helping both my daughter and us understand the diagnosis and plan of care, even from a distance. She never rushed conversations or dismissed concerns.
I would also like to acknowledge that this recognition is being submitted nearly a year after my daughter's hospitalization. I am not sure when the DAISY Award is given or how it even works, but I believe, as a public school teacher, it is never too late to recognize someone who has done quality work because it is often not done.
This delay was not because we ever doubted that Kyla was worthy of such recognition, but because at the time, we had no comparison beyond the nurses within that hospital. It was only later, when my mother underwent lung cancer surgery in a different medical setting in Green Bay, WI, that I fully understood just how exceptional Kyla truly is and how Brookings Hospital is an amazing care facility.
Through that experience, I became acutely aware of the rare combination of technical skill, clinical awareness, emotional intelligence, and calm confidence that Kyla demonstrated while caring for my daughter. The level of attentiveness, critical thinking, and compassionate presence she provided was truly exceptional and stood out in ways that could not be ignored.
As a parent, trusting someone else with your child's care, especially during a life-threatening medical situation, is one of the hardest things imaginable. Kyla earned that trust completely. She cared not only for my daughter's physical health but also for her emotional well-being, and she gave us peace of mind during a time filled with fear and uncertainty.
Kyla embodies everything the DAISY Award represents: exceptional clinical skill, deep compassion, advocacy, and genuine humanity. Because of her, our daughter's hospital experience was filled with dignity, reassurance, and extraordinary care during one of the most challenging moments of her life.
Our family will forever be grateful for the difference she made. She is truly deserving of recognition, and I cannot imagine a more fitting recipient of the DAISY Award.