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"We were lucky to have Emily Taquechel two night shifts in a row until the morning — when Mom finally let go." 

The Nursing Professional Governance Organization (NPGO) honors up to two UVA Health University Medical Center nurses each month with a DAISY Award. Associate Chief Nursing Officer Veronica Brill, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, and DAISY Award Committee Chair Crystal Richard, MSN, RN, CCRN, honored Emily Taquechel, BSN, RN, CCRN, Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU), with an award.

A patient's family member nominated Taquechel:

"[A sibling] called me and told me that mom had 'given up' and that did not seem to be up to the treatment to recover from yet again another COPD exacerbation. I left work, driving hours to get to the hospital, and before I got there my [sibling] told me Mom had chosen 'comfort care' instead of life sustaining treatment.

"When I joined my [family] in my mother’s room, I met Emily Taquechel, a personable and genuine nurse. She made us all feel at ease and taken care of as a family. Emily made herself available to us all night and never made us feel like we were asking too much of her.

"[Other siblings arrived] to spend Mom’s last moments with her. Emily worked around all of us and made sure we did not feel 'in the way' as we clung to our mother in her final days. Emily discussed medication options with us and communicated to the provider when medication needed adjusting.

"Emily had a way of saying things that I would not have thought to say, and it made all the difference. We spent hours and days handholding, forehead-kissing, foot caressing, mouth swabbing, and silently sobbing with Mom, and Emily shared what she saw looking in, from the outside of our traumatic stay. She said, 'We talk about good deaths and bad deaths … and being surrounded by your loved ones, telling stories … that’s a really good death.'

"There was no sense of pity, or false sympathy — she was genuine and reassuring. It was hard to accept that Mom had chosen to allow her body to die, but in that moment, Emily’s words gave us all a sense of solace — that at least this way, we all get to be there with her and support her.

"Another time, Emily mentioned that Mom must have been a really great mom, because of the outpouring of love in the room. Emily offered us coffee in the wee hours of the morning as we were sleep-deprived and resting in short shifts at a hotel around the block.

"When it became difficult to know exactly how Mom was feeling, we became anxious that we may not be doing enough. I came to Emily to ask her to assess Mom for signs that she was uncomfortable or to identify any other measures we could take to ensure she was as comfortable as possible. I listed all the comfort measures we were doing and Emily said, 'You all are doing the most.' This reassured me that we really were doing everything possible to care for Mom in her last hours.

"We were lucky to have Emily two night shifts in a row until the morning — when Mom finally let go. Emily came in the room and gently checked on Mom, let us know that her heart rate was thready, and she would come back and check on her again soon. Mom passed shortly after. So came to a close our visit at MICU.

"I cannot thank Emily enough for giving us so much uninterrupted alone time with Mom, making herself available whenever we asked for her, and never faking sadness. This helped us focus on being there with Mom. Emily provided exceptional end-of-life care for our mother, and she also cared for us, the way we needed to be cared for as a family.

"Emily even listened to our stepdad detail Mom’s burial wishes more than once and looked at photos of the beautiful hill she is to be buried on — as if she had not already seen them. I think Emily could tell that it was important to him to share her wishes as he was processing her passing.

"Thank you, Emily, for taking such good care of all of us."

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"DAISY" stands for "Diseases Attacking the Immune System." The DAISY Award was established by The DAISY Foundation in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at the age of only 33 of an autoimmune disease. The Barnes Family was awestruck by the clinical skills, caring, and compassion of his nurses, so they created this national award to thank nurses everywhere.

At UVA Health University Medical Center — patients or their families, visitors, and team members may submit a DAISY Award nomination.