Michael Ramirez, BSN, RN, works in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit. at Vanderbilt University Hospital. He is one of the latest Vanderbilt Health DAISY Award winners.
From the nomination
“Michael Ramirez should be celebrated not just for being one incredible nurse, but for being a truly incredible human being and beautiful spirit. I’ve never had surgery before, and I was truly afraid. I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease a few years ago and due to that, I had to undergo a surgery. It was a surgery that was not only difficult to talk about but extremely difficult to prep for and made for a lot of discomfort and many embarrassing moments. Michael not only made my experience with my surgery so much better, he showed me that nurses aren’t just there to physically care for their patients, but to care for their spirit and emotions as well. He maintained a wonderful sense of humor always, trying to make me laugh and feel comfortable.
“There was a specific moment when I had an accident while I was prepping for surgery. I was almost too embarrassed to say anything but something told me that I could trust Michael and I called him over and told him what happened. He smiled and told me “Hey no worries, it happens” and got me a fresh pair of clothes and a fresh sheet. He made sure my dignity was never compromised in any way and made everything seem completely normal. His care didn’t end there. Hours after I was out of surgery, I had a few new nurses making sure I was comfortable, but as I was coming to there was Michael, who came by to make sure everything had gone OK and tell me I looked great.
“I’ve been lucky enough to have wonderful experiences with my doctors, nurses and surgeons at Vanderbilt, but Michael Ramirez really went above and beyond that day and left a lasting impression that I will never forget. That day, he knew I didn’t just need a nurse, I needed a friend! I hope he’s recognized for his incredible work ethic and devotion to the care of his patients.”
About DAISY Awards
The DAISY Award is a recognition for extraordinary nurses who exemplify compassion toward patients and families.
Vanderbilt Health distributes the award in partnership with The DAISY Foundation, which was formed in 1999 to honor the memory of J. Patrick Barnes, a 33-year-old man who died of complications of the autoimmune disease Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). Barnes’ family was moved by the care they received from his nurses and wanted to recognize them to preserve his memory. DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.
Vanderbilt Health nurse committees determine the individual recipients. Previous recipients of the DAISY Award are here. The award is open to all licensed nurses, and anyone can nominate — including co-workers, patients and their families.
