Carsen Hessler, RN
Carsen Hessler, RN, is a Nurse Resident in the Trauma ICU in the Critical Care Tower. She is one of the latest Vanderbilt Health DAISY Award winners.
From the nomination
“On Memorial Day 2026, my wife and I were involved in a devastating weather-related car accident. Our vehicle hydroplaned and flipped multiple times, ejecting my wife from the car. I had to be cut out of my seatbelt and removed by first responders. Within a few hours, I was medically cleared, but my wife was brought by LifeFlight to Vanderbilt University Medical Center with severe injuries.
“After assessment, it was determined that my wife had extensive road rash, multiple deep lacerations, and a broken pelvis requiring traction to prevent further damage. While we are deeply grateful for the incredible medical care she has received, the first 36 hours in the Emergency Department were emotionally exhausting. We waited anxiously for updates about surgery and a room placement while trying to navigate the overwhelming uncertainty that comes with trauma care. Adding to the complexity, my wife has both celiac disease and alpha-gal syndrome, making even routine aspects of care—food, medications, hygiene, and wound management—far more complicated than normal. We felt scared, exhausted, and at times hopeless.
“Everything changed when we arrived in the Trauma ICU and met Carsen. From the moment she walked into the room, Carsen treated us not like another assignment, but like people who mattered. She listened carefully to every question and concern we had, and she never made us feel like a burden. Carsen genuinely took our thoughts into consideration and worked collaboratively with us in a way that restored our trust and hope. What makes Carsen extraordinary is not just her clinical skill, but the humanity she brings into every interaction. She is funny, personable, compassionate, and deeply present. Even during long nights in the ICU, she brought a calm and comforting energy that made one of the worst experiences of our lives feel survivable. It is obvious that nursing is not simply a job to her—it is truly who she is.
“Over the course of several nights, we got to know Carsen beyond her role as our nurse. We learned she graduated from the University of Kentucky about a year ago, loves to read, and somehow has never seen ‘The Golden Girls.’ Those small conversations meant more to us than she probably realizes. In the middle of fear, pain, and uncertainty, she reminded us what normal human connection feels like.
“Carsen will never be forgotten by our family. I can only imagine how many other patients and families she has impacted in the same profound way. She embodies everything the DAISY Award represents: extraordinary clinical care, compassion, advocacy, kindness, and human connection during life’s most difficult moments. Vanderbilt University Medical Center is truly blessed to have someone like Carsen on its staff.”
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.
