04/01/2026
Celebrating Emily Hester, RN, our latest DAISY Award winner! Emily’s compassion, empathy and dedication made an unforgettable difference for one family during a difficult time. Her care extended beyond the hospital walls, leaving a lasting impact that embodies the true spirit of nursing.
"I felt compelled to ensure Emily's extraordinary care and impact were properly recognized. Our 55-year-old brother was a patient in the ICU for a week after being revived from sudden cardiac arrest. We did not know if he would wake from his coma or what his prognosis would be. In the days that followed, we worked closely with Life Center, and our brother ultimately became a donor hero.
As you can imagine, it was one of the most stressful and heartbreaking weeks of our lives. During that time, Emily became a constant source of comfort, clarity and compassion for our family. She patiently explained everything she was doing, answered our questions thoughtfully, and never made us feel rushed or dismissed. Most importantly, she treated our brother as a person. She spoke to him, ensured he was comfortable, and cared for him with dignity and humanity — something that mattered deeply to us as we navigated the organ donation process. There were moments when it felt as though our brother was viewed only through the lens of his organs; Emily never let that happen.
Emily's compassion extended beyond clinical care. My mother, who was 85 at the time, was alone at the hospital and asked Emily where she might find a vending machine. Without hesitation, and in fact insisting, Emily went to get food for her, knowing it would be difficult for my mom to navigate the hospital on her own. It was such a small gesture, but one that spoke volumes about Emily's empathy and instinct to care for the whole family, not just the patient.
We all looked forward to seeing Emily each day. She wasn't working the day before our brother's honor walk, but I will never forget the relief I felt when I saw her the following morning. I broke down, hugged her, and told her how grateful I was that she was there. I cannot imagine going through another day, and especially his honor walk without her! She shared that she was scheduled to be off the day of his honor walk but had asked her manager to switch shifts so she could be there for us and for our brother. Later, she also sent flowers with a heartfelt note to our brother's funeral — an act of kindness that remains deeply meaningful to our family. What truly sets Emily apart is the lasting impact she made on me personally.
Health care, especially ICU care, is extraordinarily difficult and often thankless. Yet Emily's compassion did not end when our time in the hospital did. About six months later, I unexpectedly ran into her at an airport. Despite being outside the hospital, she immediately recognized me, spoke with the same warmth and empathy, and made me feel seen and cared for once again. It was a brief interaction, but it reaffirmed everything I already knew about her character.
More than two years later, I still think about Emily from time to time. That is how exceptional she is. Her presence carried us through one of the darkest moments of our lives, and her kindness continues to stay with me long after the experience ended. Emily exemplifies the very best of nursing. In a profession that demands technical excellence under immense emotional strain, she consistently brought humanity, dignity and compassion to every interaction. Her care did not end with her shift or even with our time in the hospital; it left a lasting imprint on my family and me. That kind of impact is rare, and it is exactly what the DAISY Award was created to recognize. I can think of no one more deserving of this honor than Emily."
Thank you, Emily, for showing us what extraordinary care looks like. 💐
