06/17/2026
A small moment can make a lasting difference.
During a pre-op visit, Reba met a patient who was carrying more than just nerves about surgery. She met her with kindness, a comforting hug and a simple gift that became something much bigger: a pen.
That pen turned into a reminder that someone had seen her, cared for her and helped her find strength in a hard moment.
"I went in for my pre-op appointment yesterday for my scheduled surgery. By the time I had labs drawn and an EKG, I was taken to Reba who took my vitals. When she asked, 'How is your day going?,' I broke down. It was barely 1 pm and I was so physically and mentally exhausted. She didn’t ask what’s wrong. She just gave me the biggest hug. The kind of hug that instantly gave my mind and body peace and calmness. As we went into her office to discuss surgery prep and other scary things, she gave me this pen to sign my name. She said, 'Here, you can use my good pen – and I know a good pen when I write with it.'
As we finished up in her office, she walked me out and said, 'Keep the pen. I have another one.' I turned around and gave HER a big hug. The last thing she said to me was: 'You got this – and you can do this.' I walked out of the hospital gripping that pen, not because I was just given a really good pen. But because this pen was now a reminder that I can do hard things. It’s also a reminder that sometimes, we all just need a hug and a reminder that everything is going to be okay."
Reba’s compassion is a beautiful example of the care we strive to give every person who walks through our doors. It is in the quiet gestures, the gentle words and the human connection that patients often feel most supported.
Congratulations, Reba, on your DAISY Award recognition. Thank you for showing how kindness can help someone feel calmer, stronger and ready to face what comes next.
