She was nominated by a grateful family member who shared her experience after her nephew was admitted following a cardiac arrest.

“Every team member that cared for him — from Emergency Services to Critical Care — did an amazing job,” she wrote. “Heather cared for him the first two nights after he was admitted, while he was in a very critical state. She handled the difficult care and was extremely patient and informative to our family.”

The nominator said Opande eased their anxiety, and was great with handling the medications that were ordered to help decrease brain swelling.

“Heather explained the medications to me, trying to keep me as at ease as possible — and being 100 percent transparent and honest with me,” she said. “She was beyond amazing, kept it professional and kept her personal emotions in check while providing the utmost extraordinary care.”

Opande was honored during a celebration with her family and team members. She received a certificate, pin and sculpture.

DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System. The DAISY Foundation was formed in January 2000 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at age 33 from complications of an auto-immune disease. His family wanted to say thank you to nurses everywhere by establishing a recognition program — The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses – to “honor the super-human work nurses do every day at the bedside.”

The DAISY Award is a merit-based award that honors clinical skill, leadership, strong patient care and compassion.