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A patient’s spouse — herself a nurse — nominated Anthony Mallory, RN, Outpatient Surgery Center, for a DAISY Award:

“My husband had what we thought would be a laparoscopic appendectomy. I suspected that given his previous hospitalizations and symptoms, it wasn't going to be a simple surgery. But I was not prepared to get a call 30 minutes into surgery with the news that he was being converted to open — because a colonic mass was found behind his perforated appendix. I knew the team in the room with him was amazing and could handle the emergent open conversion without any problems. 

"The nurse who took care of my husband in PACU [Post-Anesthesia Care Unit] was hands down the most amazing angel I’ve ever encountered in all my own years of being a nurse. From the moment he got into the PACU area, Anthony brought me in to sit at my husband’s bedside. He checked on and stayed with my husband almost the entire time he was in recovery.

"Anthony also kept checking on me, making me sit in a better chair while we waited for Medic V, offered me drinks, etc. He kept reminding me to take care of myself so I could take care of my husband. It was surreal how attuned Anthony was — not just to the patient’s needs — but to mine as a wife and now as a caretaker. Anthony kept updating me on vitals, meds, transfers, etc. I've just never seen a nurse be that engaged and empathetic not just to the patient, but to their family.

"I was so moved by how well Anthony took care of us, I burst into tears trying to understand this unexpected news and explained to him how much we appreciated him! He said, ‘Don't thank me for doing my job.’ It just seemed so natural to him. Please let him know his care made a difference.”

Nomination edited for privacy and clarity.

Know a fabulous nurse?

The Nursing Professional Governance Organization honors up to two UVA Health nurses each month with a DAISY Award. Nominations may be submitted by patients and their families, visitors, and team members. Learn more.