An extra mile and a good heart: Why Hunter Askelson earned the DAISY award

At the core of nursing excellence is the profound human connection, especially during life's most challenging moments. This month, we celebrate Hunter Askelson, who exemplifies this principle and is our latest DAISY Award recipient. Hunter's nomination story, shared by a patient who had to make difficult end-of-life decisions, is a powerful testament to the impact of truly compassionate care.

The patient nominated Hunter because he "always did the best for me" and took the necessary "time and patience to ensure I felt safe and comfortable". In a high-speed environment, Hunter’s presence was a steadying force.

What truly set Hunter apart was his unwavering commitment to going "the extra mile". While other nurses may have hurried, the patient noted, "never Hunter." They knew every time he was their nurse, they would be "in good hands, listened to, understood, comfortable and well cared for". This consistency and dedication is what the DAISY Award is all about.

The true definition of his exceptional care came when the patient decided to enroll in hospice. In this moment of profound vulnerability, Hunter "spent hours" helping the patient with critical, personal tasks. He assisted them in completing an important financial form and helped them call their family and job on their iPad as they made the transition to hospice care.

This act of selfless support—lending emotional and practical assistance for non-medical needs during a crucial transition—speaks volumes. As the patient summarized, Hunter is "just a good person with a good heart" and "everything a nurse entails". His "calm caring person... can do to change your day for the better," and we couldn't agree more.

Congratulations, Hunter, on this well-deserved honor. Thank you for setting the standard for integrity and patient-centered care.