Payton Koller, RN, E5 – Labor & Delivery
Please join the Center for Nursing Excellence in congratulating Payton Koller, RN, for being selected as the DAISY Award recipient for the month of April!
Payton Koller, RN, E5 – Labor & Delivery, and was nominated by a Patient. The nomination below reflects how Payton impacted their lifes in a very special way.
Nomination:
I am honored to nominate Payton Koller, Labor and Delivery Nurse, for a DAISY Award in recognition of the extraordinary care she provided during the emergency delivery of my son, Jett Howard.
What began as a routine Friday afternoon monitoring appointment at my doctor’s office in Batesville quickly turned into a terrifying medical emergency. I was diagnosed with HELLP Syndrome and urgently transported to UAMS. In a matter of hours, I went from expecting reassurance at a check-up to facing a life-threatening condition for both my baby and me. I needed skilled medical care—but just as importantly, I needed compassion, clarity, and reassurance that we were going to be okay.
Labor and delivery were extremely busy that night. The charge nurse cared for me initially until Payton Koller was assigned as my nurse. From the moment she stepped into my room, I felt a sense of calm. She was kind, compassionate, and fully present. As my condition escalated and critical decisions had to be made quickly, Payton remained steady and focused. She spoke to me with honesty and empathy, carefully explaining how dangerously low my platelet count was and why an emergency C-section was necessary on a rapid timeline.
In the midst of overwhelming information and fast-moving conversations among the medical team, Payton made sure my husband and I understood what was happening. She helped us process complex information at an incredibly stressful moment. Her ability to translate urgency into understanding, without creating panic, was remarkable.
When I was taken into the operating room, the weight of the situation truly hit me. As I received the spinal anesthesia, fear and emotion overwhelmed me. Payton noticed my tears immediately. She stayed right beside me, reassuring me that although it was scary, I was in good hands, and it would be okay. She held my hand and grounded me in that moment. Her calm presence gave me strength when I felt like I was falling apart. She stayed with me until my husband was able to join me in the OR. I truly could not have done it without her.
After Jett’s quick and safe delivery, Payton continued to care for me in PACU with the same compassion and attentiveness. She gently narrated everything that was happening throughout my recovery so I would feel informed and secure rather than confused or frightened. Even in a busy unit, she made me feel like I was her only patient.
Payton Koller exemplifies what it means to be a DAISY Nurse. She combines clinical excellence with heartfelt compassion. In one of the most frightening experiences of my life, she was my steady anchor. Because of her, I felt seen, heard, informed, and cared for—not just as a patient, but as a mother.
Our family will forever be grateful for the role she played in bringing our son safely into the world. Payton is truly deserving of this recognition.
Thank you, Payton!