We're excited to announce our latest Daisy Award Winner, Cole Custred from RMC's CICU! Here is his nomination...
Cole was truly a light during one of the darkest times for my family. He was kind, compassionate, and incredibly present. As a nurse myself, I appreciated that he never assumed what I did or didn’t know—he took the time to explain things that were far outside my emotional capacity in that moment, and he was never too busy to answer any question we had.
More than anything, Cole made sure we never felt alone. He was there every step of the way, advocating for my grandpa when things didn’t seem to align with his wishes. Although this wasn’t the outcome our family had hoped for, Cole ensured that my favorite person in the world was cared for with dignity and comfort.
His care didn’t stop with my grandpa—it extended to all of us. He checked on our family, made sure we had what we needed, and kept me informed through every step, explaining not just what was happening, but why. That meant more than I can put into words.
What stood out most was his ability to bring humanity into such a difficult situation. He reminded us that even for him, moments like this are hard. He gently reassured us when my grandpa said things that didn’t quite make sense, helping us understand that he wasn’t always aware of what he was saying. That may seem small, but for someone who hung on every word my grandpa spoke, it meant everything.
Cole showed up with tissues when the tears came, with compassion when we needed it most, and with a level of care that went far beyond his role. I truly believe no one deserves recognition more.
Thank you, Cole, for making an unimaginable time as peaceful and supported as possible, and for taking such incredible care of the best man I have ever known. My family will never forget you and what you did for us in one of the darkest storms we have faced.From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being an incredible nurse.
The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses is an international program that honors the compassionate care and clinical excellence nurses bring to their patients every day. The program is now in 4,300 health care facilities across 26 countries. Nominate your favorite DCH nurse today! Click here for the nomination form.
