Newsworthy

Scott Smith, RN, didn’t realize he was caring for someone he already knew.

As a Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) nurse, Scott focused on helping a patient and his family navigate one of life’s most difficult moments. After the patient’s passing, Scott made an unexpected connection: decades earlier, the man had worked as a pharmacist at the VA hospital, where his kindness left a lasting impression on Scott as a child.

The patient’s family nominated Scott for a DAISY Award, showing how compassion can shape lives and come full circle in unexpected ways.

Scott’s Nomination

Editor’s note: This nomination has been lightly edited for clarity and readability.

Scott was our dad’s MICU day-shift nurse during the final two days of his life. On Thursday, we were able to spend the whole day with Dad, and Scott was so kind and supportive for both Dad and our family.

Dad was unable to swallow and had significant aphasia, making conversation difficult. Scott was so patient and treated him like a friend, talking about things they had in common. He allowed Dad time to answer and respond as he was able.

Our family was so comforted, knowing such a capable and strong nurse was caring for Dad. He and charge nurse Julie spent time doing things like oral care and pain management that made what turned out to be Dad’s final day much more comfortable.

On Friday morning, Scott was assigned to care for Dad again. This time, though, Dad’s condition had worsened significantly. He had undergone a code a few hours before Scott’s shift and was intubated and on life support.

Our family made an incredibly difficult decision to transition to comfort care, as we knew it was Dad’s choice not to be on life support if it wouldn’t change the outcome. Scott and the team allowed our family time to discuss things with Palliative Care and ask questions to make an informed decision. This also allowed our family time to gather.

Scott explained the process to the family and gave us all space to choose to be present at extubation or not. He then allowed us all to be at the bedside as Dad’s tired heart made its last beat.

We were able to witness this amazing and beloved man leave his earthly body, which was precious. We will never forget Scott’s kindness and patience for Dad and for all of us as we grieved and said goodbye.

The following day, I reached out to Scott after our visit with the funeral home because they couldn’t find Dad’s glasses. Scott had sent them with Dad to the funeral home and made sure they were secured so they weren’t lost. He also found a water bottle we had left behind, and he would hold it for me until I could come pick it up.

We were still in the neighborhood, so we stopped by. We were able to visit for a minute and thank him again for his kindness. Scott mentioned on Thursday that he recognized Dad’s face from long ago, as Dad had been a pharmacist in the community for over 40 years. He just wasn’t quite sure the details.

He had gone home on Friday night following his shift and spent time thinking about his day, as most nurses do (I’m also a nurse and know the feeling well). That’s when it dawned on him that he was remembering my dad as the pharmacist at the VA hospital in the early 1980s, working at the outpatient pharmacy window when teenage Scott and his veteran father would go pick up his prescriptions.

He remembered Dad as the tall man who had to lean over to see through the pharmacy window. He remembered his friendly smile and gentle manner, and that his dad and mine would have conversations about family and faith while waiting for his meds to be ready.

Dad made an impression on Scott as a young man, and years later, Scott returned the same kindness to our family during Dad’s last days. We are forever grateful.