Each year, Fairview Range participates in the internationally recognized DAISY Award program, which honors nurses for their extraordinary compassion, clinical excellence, and the meaningful difference they make in the lives of their patients. We receive numerous heartfelt nominations each year from patients, families, and colleagues who have been deeply impacted by our nurses.
These outstanding nurses were selected for the remarkable care, kindness, and dedication they provide each day. Their actions remind us that one nurse’s care can leave a lasting impression on a patient’s life. Here are their inspiring stories:
Wayne Garrett, RN
“I’ll never forget the day we met Wayne. Our son was in the darkest place imaginable, ready to give up on everything, and we felt helpless watching him slip away. But Wayne? He was different from any nurse we’d encountered. He didn’t just treat our son’s symptoms – he saw the person behind the pain. Wayne sat with us for hours, patiently untangling the complex web of mental illness, helping us understand what our son was going through. He spoke with such genuine compassion that, for the first time, we felt like someone truly got it. Someone finally understood.
But what touched us most was how he believed in our son when our son couldn’t believe in himself. Wayne never gave up, even during the hardest moments. He became more than a nurse – he became our beacon of hope, our guide through the storm.
Today, our son works in mental health, advocating for others fighting similar battles. And that? That’s Wayne’s legacy. He didn’t just save our son’s life – he helped him find his purpose.
Some people say angels walk among us. I believe it because we met one named Wayne.”
Kaitlyn Stark, RN
“My story starts on October 17th, 2025, with a routine yearly mammogram. Only this time, they discovered a mass of some sort in my right breast that needed a biopsy, which was done on October 21st, 2025.
This is when I was first introduced to Kaitlyn S., RN Breast Navigator at the Breast Center. She was so nice, caring, and knowledgeable, and described everything that was going to happen during my breast biopsy procedure. I was extremely nervous about this procedure, but she made me feel so comfortable under the circumstances.
A little background here, I fell down a flight of stairs 10 years ago, severely pinching my spinal cord and injuring my neck, which left me with extreme anxieties. So, I was extremely nervous about doing this procedure. Kaitlyn’s kindness, expert care, and support made a huge difference in how I handled this procedure.
Her compassion also made a world of difference when I decided to have this mass removed. She explained things clearly and in such a professional manner that went above and beyond her dedication to anyone’s health care issues.
On Tuesday, November 12th, 2025, the day of my surgery, I was pleasantly surprised to see her once again. She acknowledged me and explained that I was coming back to the mammogram area to have a procedure before surgery. Her positive attitude, along with her bright smile, once again calmed my anxieties. I felt at ease and continued to feel motivated to have this mass removed.
It is rare to have a complete stranger take control; however, in my opinion, she is definitely dedicated to her profession, and it speaks volumes to women like myself who are forever grateful for her compassion and support during these unknown circumstances that pop up out of nowhere in your later years of life.”
Zach Lahti, RN
“Zach came into our lives when my father-in-law, who lives with us, started using a palliative skilled nursing program in our area. He has been nothing but phenomenal to work with, but more recently, his compassion and knowledge have shone brighter than could be imagined.
He is the most supportive nurse I’ve ever met. You can tell he truly cares about each and every one of his patients, and not only his patients, but their families as well.
Zach has a unique gift when it comes to being a nurse. He is extremely intelligent, caring, kind, fun to be around, and always looking for the best solution.
My father-in-law suffers from Lewy body dementia. Zach is amazing with him and gives us the best support as well.”
We are incredibly proud to recognize Wayne, Kaitlyn, and Zach for the exceptional care and compassion they show each day. Their dedication reflects the true spirit of the DAISY Award and the values we strive to uphold at Fairview Range. Please join us in celebrating their well-deserved honor.
If you’ve been touched by the extraordinary care of a nurse, we invite you to share their story by submitting a nomination at bit.ly/FairviewDaisyAward
