DAISY Award Winner
Each month, an outstanding WakeMed nurse is presented with a DAISY Award to recognize the super-human work that nurses do every day.
September 2024 Winner: Morgan Lee, RN
4C Women's Pavilion/Birthplace – Raleigh Campus — Nurses
Nominated by: colleagues
Congratulations, Morgan Lee, RN, for being recognized as the September 2024 DAISY Award Recipient!
Below is an excerpt from the DAISY Award nomination written about you:
“Morgan Lee is more than deserving of receiving the prestigious Daisy award. Morgan was the primary nurse for a postpartum mental health patient who was in an active state of psychosis. Morgan was so impressive with the care she delivered. She was kind, thoughtful, patient and so understanding. This patient had a history of being violent towards staff and required many BERTs throughout her stay, but this did not change Morgan's attitude or the quality of care she delivered in the slightest. The patient had developed a wonderful rapport with Morgan and trusted her so much. Unfortunately, we were going to have to separate this patient from her baby, as the patient required inpatient psych treatment off our campus. This event required many disciplines throughout the hospital including psych, OB, mental health techs, campus police, social work and the CA. The collaboration was flawless and inspiring. To top it off, the one "simple" thing that made me so proud of Morgan was her generous effort to make the mom still feel connected to her baby while she was in psychiatric treatment. Morgan made a colorful and beautiful poster with the baby's name, so the mother could have it in her room. Morgan, you are such a wonderful nurse, and I'm so proud of you for handling a very difficult situation with so much grace.”
Thank you, Morgan Lee, RN — “We are Proud You are a WakeMed Nurse!”
August 2024 Winner: Andrea DeJong, RN
3E – Raleigh Campus — Nurses
Nominated by: colleagues
Congratulations, Andrea DeJong, RN, for being recognized as the August 2024 DAISY Award Recipient!
Below is an excerpt from the DAISY Award nomination written about you:
“Andrea used every spare moment of her shift to work on our patient's hair. Her hair was matted. Andrea used her own money to get the tools to improve the state of her hair. She worked tirelessly to save as much hair as possible and improve the patient's scalp integrity. Two brushes, two combs and a bottle of conditioner later, she restored and saved our patients hair to its former glory. I hope if I am ever in that situation, someone will care enough to try to save my hair instead of shaving it all off.”
Thank you, Andrea DeJong, RN — “We are Proud You are a WakeMed Nurse!”
July 2024 Winner: Ashley Reid, RN
ICU – North Hospital — Nurses
Nominated by: patient's son
Congratulations, Ashley Reid, RN, for being recognized as the July 2024 DAISY Award Recipient!
Below is an excerpt from the DAISY Award nomination written about you:
“Ashley was 'always right there' not just to check on Mom but on the family. She was great at answering all our questions and giving us additional information about my mom and the dying process. She kept Mom comfortable and was always greeting our family with a smile. She helped us cope and take much needed rest on nights knowing that Mom was in good hands. Ashley went far above and beyond to give extraordinary care to my mother and at the same time our family.”
Thank you, Ashley Reid, RN — “We are Proud You are a WakeMed Nurse!”
June 2024 Winner: Kristen Barbour, RN
Labor & Delivery – Raleigh Campus — Nurses
Nominated by: colleague
Congratulations, Kristen Barbour, RN, for being recognized as the June 2024 DAISY Award Recipient!
Below is an excerpt from the DAISY Award nomination written about you:
“I can't even put into words how special and amazing Kristen Barbour is. When I think of what type of nurse I want to grow to be, she quickly comes to mind. Kristen is the Chair of the Systemwide Pregnancy Perinatal & Neonatal Loss Committee, and she works hard to standardize processes across the 4th floor. We don't expect to deal with end of life, especially in infancy, which means we only get one chance to do it right. Her care, detail, passion and knowledge of end of life is the reason WakeMed gets it right. We had a specific scenario in the NICU where we lost the patient. In all of the stress that comes with end of life, the family requested molds for the hands and feet to be done for the baby as a keepsake. It was a busy night, the Chaplain's did not get to do the molds and the baby was picked up by the funeral home before they could get them done. Kristen was not going to let this get in the way of offering the best care for this family. She reached out to the sweet family to make sure it was okay, and she took it upon herself to go to the funeral home and do the molds herself. Kristen's passion for the families that have experienced loss is truly amazing and so self-less. Thank you, Kristen, for all you do to get the worst day of people's lives right! And thank you for all the support you have shown the NICU and Newborn Specialist.”
Thank you, Kristen Barbour, RN — “We are Proud You are a WakeMed Nurse!”
July 2024 Winner: Alex Zalkin, RN
2E – Cary Hospital — Nurses
Nominated by: patient's wife
Congratulations, Alex Zalkin, RN, for being recognized as the July 2024 DAISY Award Recipient!
Below is an excerpt from the DAISY Award nomination written about you:
“When we were in the hospital and placed in a situation where we were unable to be self-sufficient, Alex was the nurse we wanted. She is compassionate and dependable. She asked us our goals for the day, and let me tell you, she achieved them. When my husband felt pain coming on, Alex was already knocking on the door. These preemptive visits to address all of my husband's needs in person were consistent throughout the day. She was reliable and made us feel as though we were her top priority by ensuring we conveniently had everything we needed for my husband to heal. On day two, she knew my husband's goal was to walk, so he could get discharged home. She had him up walking the halls before the MD and even PT could visit him that day. Alex went above and beyond and called the pharmacy herself to get the ball moving, allowing us to obtain our prescriptions to go home. Last, we have to acknowledge that she makes the patient's room a little homier/welcoming by drawing a cute piece of artwork by her name to add some flair to those black screens. 2 East is lucky to have her as part of the team.”
Thank you, Alex Zalkin, RN — “We are Proud You are a WakeMed Nurse!”
June 2024 Winner: Elizabeth Quinlan, RN
2W – Cary Hospital — Nurses
Nominated by: patient's daughter
Congratulations, Elizabeth Quinlan, RN, for being recognized as the June 2024 DAISY Award Recipient!
Below is an excerpt from the DAISY Award nomination written about you:
“My wife is a big science and astronomy buff and really wanted to see the eclipse. From the start of her shift, Elizabeth swore she’d get my wife out to see it. She even went over and above to get my wife materials to make a viewing box. At around 2:40, she came to our room with a smile and a wheelchair and said, 'I told you I’d get you out there.' She took her down while on oxygen and allowed my wife to view this once in a lifetime opportunity. She is the personification of the DAISY award. Cary Hospital and 2 West are lucky to have a nurse who goes that far above and beyond the normal nursing role. What she possesses in her care is not taught but innate to someone who exudes greatness. We are both grateful for having such a wonderful and compassionate nurse who has made healing progress so much faster.”
Thank you, Elizabeth Quinlan, RN — “We are Proud You are a WakeMed Nurse!”
May 2024 Winner: Kenzli Underwood, RN
2W – Cary Hospital — Nurses
Nominated by: patient's daughter
Congratulations, Kenzli Underwood, RN, for being recognized as the May 2024 DAISY Award Recipient!
Below is an excerpt from the DAISY Award nomination written about you:
“Kenzli was my mom's nurse on 2 West for a couple days in a row. She was a ray of sunshine in our dark time. She provided so much compassion to my mom. She was never rushed and made us feel like we were her only patient. We needed a lot of coordination between specialists including wound care, and Kenzli was able to do that seamlessly and make sure all of our boxes got checked off. We thoroughly enjoyed having Kenzli be our nurse and felt very reassured and safe with Mom in her care. Being a cardiac nurse myself, I have only the highest of compliments and praise for Kenzli. She truly went above and beyond to turn a horrific experience into a better one. Kenzli was a step ahead of us and thought of things Mom needed before she even knew she needed them. She did everything with so much compassion and joy, as if it were no trouble at all. Not only did Kenzli take exceptional and superlative care of Mom, but she extended that same compassion to my dad and me as well.”
Thank you, Kenzli Underwood, RN — “We are Proud You are a WakeMed Nurse!”
April 2024 Winner: Ramila KC, RN
3A – Raleigh — Nurses
Nominated by: patient
Congratulations, Ramila KC, RN, for being recognized as the April 2024 DAISY Award Recipient!
Below is an excerpt from the DAISY Award nomination written about you:
“After two days of difficult news facing open heart surgery, I was blessed to have Ramila take care of me. Some nurses give you medications and leave, that’s fine. I needed someone to help me pull out of a place of fear and doubt. Ramila gave me more than medications. She gave me her time, words of encouragement and the hope I’ll need to get through what I’m about to face. My greatest fear is what will happen to my wife of 44 years and my wonderful daughter who’s postponed her life to care for her parents.
Words are so very important; it is how we communicate and help one another. Ramila has chosen a life of service. There is nothing more honorable than this commitment. Please read my words and in doing so realize how very fortunate we all are to have her touch our lives. Credit also to Amy Sullivan who has a gift in leading such a wonderful staff, exemplified by Ramila. I will never forget Ramilla and will pray for her.”
Thank you, Ramila KC, RN — “We are Proud You are a WakeMed Nurse!”
March 2024 Winner: Jennifer West, RN, and Melinda Carr, RN
Pediatric Sedation Suite – Raleigh — Nurses
Nominated by: parent
Congratulations, Jennifer West, RN and Melinda Carr, RN, for being recognized as the March 2024 DAISY Award Recipient!
Below is an excerpt from the DAISY Award nomination written about you:
“My four-year-old son is autistic and struggles with any type of medical care, including something as simple as placing a stethoscope on his chest. Having blood drawn is a traumatizing experience for him as it isn’t a procedure he understands. Jennifer and Melinda went above and beyond to make it tolerable for our little guy. Not only were they extremely patient (the ordeal took an hour, which I know must be an incredibly long time for them to have to deal with a blood draw), they also ensured the environment was sensory-friendly, kept the lights low, prevented loud noises, played with him on the floor and wrapped his kitty-cat’s paws up just like his hand. Ultimately, they did whatever they could to make him feel safe and comfortable. I know this sounds simple, but it truly means the world to us. As a parent of a child with special needs, I find myself apologizing and explaining my child’s behavior. For the first time, I didn’t have to apologize. As soon as we said he’s autistic and a hard stick they jumped in and accommodated his needs without skipping a beat, smiling the entire time.”
Thank you, Jennifer West, RN and Melinda Carr, RN — “We are Proud You are a WakeMed Nurse!”
February 2024 Winner: Nikki Sexton, RN
Labor & Delivery – Raleigh Campus — Nurses
Nominated by: coworker
Congratulations, Jennifer West, RN and Melinda Carr, RN, for being recognized as the March 2024 DAISY Award Recipient!
Below is an excerpt from the DAISY Award nomination written about you:
“It’s no exaggeration to say that I truly feel lucky to be alive today after delivering my son Archer. Archer’s debut was initially very smooth with a fabulous induction experience and an effective epidural that allowed me to nearly “laugh him out” after only a few pushes — essentially a dream delivery. That dream quickly turned into a nightmare as I began to have a massive postpartum hemorrhage. Nikki and Dr. Byrd were both extremely vigilant in my postpartum care, given my history of a postpartum hemorrhage with my first son, and I believe it was this attention-to-detail that helped me survive the ordeal. As things started to turn downhill, Nikki never left my side and ensured I got the care I needed as swiftly as I needed it. As the hemorrhage became progressively worse, Nikki acted fast and efficiently to ensure all hands were on deck. She offered so much comfort and support, especially to my husband, who had to watch this entire ordeal unfold with no ability to help. Thanks to Nikki’s calm demeanor and professionalism, I had no idea how bad it was until the ordeal was behind us. She stayed on top of every intervention she could offer, made sure my husband was informed of my status and delegated someone to help rub my arm due to the immense pain of the cold PRBCs being squeezed in through my PIVs. I will never forget the my ashen-grey reflection on the ceiling, strapped to the OR table crucifixion style, getting worked on from every angle by an amazing team of surgeons, CRNAs, and nurses. It was such an unreal, out-of-body experience to watch yourself in such a vulnerable position and not know what the outcome would be. I distinctly remember lying on that table, and Dr. Byrd looking me in the eye and saying, ‘I have been in this position; we will get you through this.' I never doubted it for a moment. As a last resort, a hysterectomy was discussed, but they were able to get the bleeding under control with my newest friend JADA. I cannot emphasize enough that the swift actions of the team not only saved my uterus but saved my life and allowed me to rebound back to being Van and Archer’s mama! As a NICU nurse who works alongside these individuals, I have such a new appreciation and trust. I cannot speak highly enough of Nikki and my L&D team.”
Thanks to this team, I am alive today, my parents still have their daughter, my husband still has his wife, and my sons still have their mom. I am eternally grateful for her and this new extension of my WakeMed family.”
Thank you, Nikki Sexton, RN — “We are Proud You are a WakeMed Nurse!”
January 2024 Winner: Julie Efird, RN
ICU – Raleigh Campus — Nurses
Nominated by: coworker
Congratulations, Julie Efird, RN, for being recognized as the January 2024 DAISY Award Recipient!
Below is an excerpt from the DAISY Award nomination written about you:
“Julia was the Rounding nurse. She checked on the patient and spoke with the family to make sure they had the proper updates when the patient was on the floor. When the patient had a hypotensive emergency, Julia was at his bedside numerous times. Julia helped administer fluids and emergent medications to normalize the patient’s blood pressure. Julia brought the patient to the ICU for further care. In addition to taking care of the patient, Julia comforted the family throughout the ordeal. She gave them all the information they needed and responded to all of their concerns. The patient’s daughters were so relieved they gave her hugs on multiple occasions. Throughout the situation, Julia showed so much care and compassion. The next morning, Julia went back to check on the patient and family. The daughters were comforted by her once again and extremely grateful for her. Julia helped the primary nurse transport the patient to radiology for a necessary, urgent procedure. The family felt comfortable about the procedure because Julia was at the patient’s side. The daughters had nothing but the best words for Julia. Julia left an everlasting impression on the patient and family during the entire hospitalization.”
Thank you, Julie Efird, RN — “We are Proud You are a WakeMed Nurse!”
December 2023 Winner: Nicole Saia, RN
Labor & Delivery – Raleigh Campus — Nurses
Nominated by: coworker
Congratulations, Nicole Saia, RN, for being recognized as the December 2023 DAISY Award Recipient!
Below is an excerpt from the DAISY Award nomination written about you:
“It takes a special person to care for newborn babies and their parents — and Nicole Saia already excels at this daily, serving as a Labor & Delivery nurse. She and her colleagues welcome new life into the world daily. Yet, there are days they must be present during deeply difficult times, including moments of grief when patients experience the loss of a pregnancy or the death of their baby. Nicole recently demonstrated compassion through her artistic talent. When the WakeMed Pregnancy and Perinatal Loss Committee was looking for a new design for the memory boxes given to parents experiencing this deep reservoir of grief, Nicole offered her gifts. Through the medium of watercolor, she designed multiple bouquets to cover the boxes, and month after month she sought feedback to ensure the image was what the committee wanted. Every time she took feedback from the committee, she embarked upon a blank canvas to produce a brand new design. The final result? A beautiful, painted bouquet filled with flowers of comforting colors. This image is on each box given to parents experiencing the immeasurable grief that comes with losing a child. Parents are invited to keep small mementos of their child — blankets, wristbands, hats — in these boxes.
"Along with each commissioned art piece, Nicole wrote a letter to convey her hopes to each family. ‘This memory box was made in honor of you and your family, to recognize both the life and loss of your baby. Our hope is that these mementos will bring comfort in grief and peace in remembrance. Designed with love, Nicole Saia.’ With immense gratitude for Nicole’s gifts of art, thoughtfulness and time, I wholeheartedly nominate her for the DAISY Award.”
Thank you, Nicole Saia, RN — “We are Proud You are a WakeMed Nurse!”
November 2023 Winner: Sumer Edwards, RN
MICU – Raleigh Campus — Nurses
Nominated by: coworker
Congratulations, Sumer Edwards, RN, for being recognized as the November 2023 DAISY Award Recipient!
Below is an excerpt from the DAISY Award nomination written about you:
“My uncle was placed in the MICU after a medical emergency. He, along with his two brothers and primary next of kin, are deaf. Due to the challenging communication barrier between hearing and deaf individuals, I traveled from Indiana to assist. The first nurse we interacted with was Sumer. She was amazing, and I want you to know how exceptional she is. As a 25-year veteran in the fire service, I have interacted with many health care professionals. Sumer is someone you want on your team. Always caring and very intelligent, Sumer is thoughtful, courteous and professional. We appreciated her care and eagerness to go the extra mile.
"Clinically she provided safe and effective care and explained assessments, care plans, actions and evaluations thoroughly. She immediately recognized the importance of effective communication between her and my family. The interpreting service is of great value. However, Sumer began to learn sign language in order to better interact with her patient and our loved one. It was greatly appreciated, along with her positive and compassionate spirit. She went above and beyond. Many times, deaf people feel isolated and ignored. Sumer made us feel like family. Sumer is kind, gentle and really knows what she’s doing. You’re lucky to have her, and she deserves a raise. Thank you for sending her our way!”
Thank you, Sumer Edwards, RN — “We are Proud You are a WakeMed Nurse!”
October 2023 Winner: Shannon Posthumus, RN
4C Mother/Baby – Raleigh Campus — Nurses
Nominated by: coworker
Congratulations, Shannon Posthumus, RN, for being recognized as the October 2023 DAISY Award Recipient!
Below is an excerpt from the DAISY Award nomination written about you:
“I am nominating Shannon for the Daisy Award for her unmatched, genuine, sincere compassion. Shannon took care of a new mom who had disabilities and was non-verbal. The patient would not be accepting custody of thie baby.This is where Shannon stepped in. Shannon advocated for the baby, spoke with her own family who were also willing to welcome the baby and advocated to be a foster mom. Shannon partnered with our social work team, the child protective services (CPS) worker and even reached out to the county, hoping to be a foster mom for the baby. Iit did not work out that Shannon was allowed to foster. However, Shannon donated a diaper bag full of sweet necessities for the family who would get the opportunity to care for this child.
"Shannon, I admire your heart and although you did not take this sweet baby home to foster, you definitely deserve a DAISY Award and so much more.”
Thank you, Shannon Posthumus, RN — “We are Proud You are a WakeMed Nurse!”
September 2023 Winner: Liz Salvini, RN
3W – Cary Hospital — Nurses
Nominated by: coworker
Congratulations, Liz Salvini, RN, for being recognized as the September 2023 DAISY Award Recipient!
Below is an excerpt from the DAISY Award nomination written about you:
“Liz has provided excellent care and support to a patient who has been admitted for weeks. He is frequently misunderstood because of his condition and spends long hours confined to his room. On one particular day, Liz brought the patient into the hallway and played uplifting music, including the Cupid Shuffle. We danced with him. This improved his mood, brought him joy and boosted his overall mental health due to the stress that comes with being in an unfamiliar place for as long as he has been.
"Liz prioritized her patient and his needs which totally exemplified the WakeWay.”
Thank you, Liz Salvini, RN — “We are Proud You are a WakeMed Nurse!”
August 2023 Winner: Mary Pennington, RN
Operating Room (OR) – Raleigh Campus — Nurses
Nominated by: coworker
Congratulations, Mary Pennington, RN, for being recognized as the August 2023 DAISY Award Recipient!
Below is an excerpt from the DAISY Award nomination written about you:
“I was on vacation, and Mary filled in for me as charge nurse of the orthopaedic cluster. We had a difficult case that unfortunately ended in a patient's death, which is always tragic in the OR as it doesn’t happen often. Although Mary’s shift ended at 5 pm, she stayed until 8 pm in the waiting room with the wife of the deceased patient comforting her, holding her hand and assisting her with making phone calls to family members telling them the news. Mary is an exemplary nurse, and I am honored to work alongside her. Her compassion, especially in this instance, should not go unnoticed. Thank you, Mary, for all you do for our department and the organization.”
Thank you, Mary Pennington, RN — “We are Proud You are a WakeMed Nurse!”
July 2023 Winner: Mary Margaret Callahan, RN
5A Med Intermediate Care – Raleigh Campus — Nurses
Nominated by: patient's daughter
Congratulations, Mary Margaret Callahan, RN, for being recognized as the July 2023 DAISY Award Recipient!
Below is an excerpt from the DAISY Award nomination written about you:
“My Dad arrived on the floor just before my mom and I — [during a potentially serious issue] with a patient in a neighboring room. [The patient] was loud and belligerent, and all staff members had to address the situation, including a Wake County deputy sheriff. Dad felt he’d been “left in centerfield of an abandoned baseball field.” When Mom and I arrived, Dad was upset, and he was ready to leave. Within seconds of Mary Margaret walking into the room, the entire situation took a 180! She greeted us, apologized and reassured us that we were in the best place we could be for Dad’s situation. Then she spent the next one-and-a-half hours joking and cutting up while taking care of Dad’s every need and making us all feel very, very relieved. And, this is all while having been through that ordeal herself. I’m sure she was emotionally drained, but we would have never known it.
Mary Margaret is top-notch, amazing and exactly where she should be — using her gifts to make the world a better place for anyone lucky enough to cross her path! We can’t say thank you enough, and we feel she is so deserving of the DAISY Award!”
Thank you, Mary Margaret Callahan, RN — “We are Proud You are a WakeMed Nurse!”
June 2023 Winner: Abbey Cobb, RN
STICU – Raleigh Campus — Nurses
Nominated by: staff
Congratulations, Abbey Cobb, RN, for being recognized as the June 2023 DAISY Award Recipient!
Below is an excerpt from the DAISY Award nomination written about you:
“Abbey always goes above and beyond for STICU patients and staff. She ordered Capri-Suns and had them delivered to the hospital for a patient last week. She also puts unit morale as a top priority and is often doing whatever she can to boost it.
"But, most recently, she performed a particular act of kindness that outshines all others. A patient has been hospitalized since March, and he and his fiancée had plans to marry over the summer. His condition declined, and the recovery process will be a long one – so Abbey offered to help the couple get married on campus. She helped the fiancée plan the ceremony, purchased a suit and personally tailored it to allow the patient to wear like a hospital gown. She purchased the flowers for the bride, decorations and an archway for the ceremony. Abbey left no detail undone throughout this process and has given this couple hope that they will indeed be married despite the challenges they have faced with his health. Abbey is truly a selfless individual who consistently goes to great lengths for others, whether patients or co-workers. Abbey is a true example of the WakeWay.”
Thank you, Abbey Cobb — “We are Proud You are a WakeMed Nurse!”
May 2023 Winner: Jennifer Myers, RN
WakeMed Obstetrics & Gynecology – Clayton — Nurses
Nominated by: staff
Congratulations, Jennifer Myers, RN, for being recognized as the May 2023 DAISY Award Recipient!
Below is an excerpt from the DAISY Award nomination written about you:
“Jennifer is an outstanding nurse. She has taken the lead on a pilot program in our office to provide an abstract nurse visit for all pregnant patients. This visit allows patients to be seen early in their pregnancy before their new obstetrics (OB) appointment. Patients benefit from a wealth of education regarding their pregnancy. Since mid-February, Jennifer has completed 40 nurse abstract visits, developed the workflow and edited our welcome letter. She will also educate nurses in other offices throughout our service line on how to complete a nurse abstract visit. This program will serve all our OB patients and allow them to develop an early relationship with our staff and ease any pregnancy concerns promptly. The success of this program would not be possible without Jennifer’s hard work.”
Thank you, Jennifer Myers — “We are Proud You are a WakeMed Nurse!”
April 2023 Winner: Emma Finefrock, RN
WakeMed Raleigh Campus — Nurses
Nominated by: patient
Congratulations, Emma Finefrock, RN, for being recognized as the April 2023 DAISY Award Recipient!
Below is an excerpt from the DAISY Award nomination written about you:
“I was admitted to the Raleigh Campus at 22 weeks gestation with severe preeclampsia. There wasn’t anything more that could be done and tragically, my son, Atlas, was stillborn. Emma was one of my nurses the following day, and I will never forget her as long as I live. When she introduced herself, she was kind and empathetic, patiently listening to my needs and concerns. Before she left the room, she made sure to walk over to the cuddle cot and say hello to my son. It meant so much to me to have him acknowledged, his name spoken aloud and him treated like any other baby. She also helped the chaplains make the cement for his foot molds which showed a lot of care for my sweet baby boy. I was crying my eyes out when she came to bring the flash drive with his photos on it. She told me she was writing “Baby Atlas” on the folder and would leave it in my bag for me. She also left a sweet message for us in the card the staff signed to offer their condolences, thanking us for the opportunity to care for him. When I found out about this award, I just knew I had to show my appreciation! Thank you, Emma, for helping us through the hardest challenge our family has ever had to endure and for showing my son care and dignity.”
Thank you, Emma Finefrock — “We are Proud You are a WakeMed Nurse!”
March 2023 Winner: Jen Opalewski, RN
WakeMed Raleigh Campus — Nurses
Nominated by: coworker
Congratulations, Jen Opalewski, RN, for being recognized as the March 2023 DAISY Award Recipient!
Below is an excerpt from the DAISY Award nomination written about you:
“On November 19, Jen was assigned to be the nurse for pediatric trauma patients. That day, she was the primary nurse for a young 11-year-old trauma patient who later passed away. I would like to recognize the amazing care she provided for both the patient and her family. From the moment the patient arrived, Jen remained with the patient and her family to provide the needed support. From assisting with resuscitation efforts, holding the patient’s hand when her mom could not be at her bedside, to promising her mother to walk with her to the morgue. Jennifer displayed all the characteristics that are the WakeWay. She went above and beyond by attending the memorial service for this precious patient, where she was warmly greeted by the family and invited to sit in the VIP section with their closest friends and family. I know the tragic experience was made as comforting as possible because of Jen’s commitment to compassionate care.”
Thank you, Jen Opalewski — “We are Proud You are a WakeMed Nurse!”
October 2022 Winner: Christina Lee, RN
WakeMed Raleigh Campus — Nurses
Nominated by: coworker
Congratulations, Christina Lee, RN, for being recognized as the October 2022 DAISY Award Recipient!
Below is an excerpt from the DAISY Award nomination written about you:
“I would like to formally acknowledge Chris’s most recent example of compassion. We are caring for a patient who has been on our unit for 4 months. Chris surprised him with a batman mask and costume, candy and a bowl. The patient told me he got dressed up for Halloween in his new batman gear! He strolled the unit in his wheelchair and handed out candy to the nurses and anyone working that night. The patient said this kind gesture from Chris has inspired him to show kindness to others just like it has been shown to him through Chris’s actions.”
Thank you, Christina Lee — “We are Proud You are a WakeMed Nurse!”
September 2022 Winner: Melanie Doster
WakeMed Raleigh Campus — Nurses
Nominated by: coworker
Congratulations, Melanie Doster, RN, for being recognized as the September 2022 DAISY Award Recipient!
Below is an excerpt from the DAISY Award nomination written about you:
“A patient was elevated in our department and was to be discharged home; however, she was not from the area and needed to get back home to Charlotte. Amazingly, Melanie helped coordinate getting her back home. Melanie called her boyfriend at work to get the patient’s sister’s phone number. She then comforted the patient after her boyfriend broke up with her over the phone. Melanie called her sister to help pay for a train ticket back to Charlotte as well as find a pharmacy within walking distance of the train station to send her prescription. Next, she coordinated a ride to help get the patient to the pharmacy from the train station. Melanie found donated clothes and a scrub top to replace the soiled clothes the patient was wearing, so she could travel in comfort. None of these things are the responsibility of the nurse, but Melanie went above and beyond to meet the needs of this patient. She did all these things with kindness and generosity. I am so proud to work alongside this nurse.”
Thank you, Melanie Doster — “We are Proud You are a WakeMed Nurse!”
July 2022 Winner: Joy Holder
WakeMed Raleigh Campus — Nurses
Nominated by: A patient's spouse and management
Congratulations, Joy Holder, RN, for being recognized as the July 2022 DAISY Award Recipient!
Below is an excerpt from the DAISY Award nomination written about you:
“Joy has taken exceptional care of my wife and thought about small details to make her very comfortable and peaceful. She even brought some items from home to take care of her. After she gave her a bath, my wife looked very peaceful and content. It helped us a lot."
“Joy facilitated and helped coordinate traditional Hindi rites/rituals as the patient approached the end of life. She carefully planned out the process as requested by the husband and family. Joy participated in a bathing ritual and was able to assist in getting the patient dressed in the traditional clothing worn at the end of life. She carefully attended to every need of the patient and each family member. At the end of the shift, Joy told me that this was one of the most beautiful experiences she has had and felt it was such an honor. This is a perfect example of how Joy puts her patient’s needs first and goes out of her way to meet their needs, providing exceptional care to all.”
Thank you, Joy Holder — “We are Proud You are a WakeMed Nurse!”
April 2022 Winner: Dana Rogers
WakeMed Raleigh Campus — Nurses
Nominated by: A manager
Congratulations, Judith Jones, RN, for being recognized as the April 2022 DAISY Award Recipient!
Below is an excerpt from the DAISY Award nomination written about you:
“While assessing her patient, Judy noted the young woman was seemingly depressed. As she sat and spoke with her, Judy learned the patient was originally from El Salvador, resided in the U.S. for many years and worked for the school system. Currently, however, she was unemployed and uninsured. The patient told Judy she had a surgical procedure in El Salvador earlier and experienced a complication that resulted in her being unable to control her bladder, resulting in continuous bladder leakage. The patient was upset, even stating, 'I don’t want to live like this anymore.' Yet, she couldn’t find anyone to do the surgery due to being uninsured. Judy reached out to her manager for suggestions as she felt there had to be something we could do for this patient. Judy was instructed to call and request a urology consult. She took an additional step and reached out to the urology PA about the situation to see if anything else could be done. She was determined to find help for this patient. A consult was placed, and the patient was seen by the team. The team determined she had a fistula that needed to be repaired, and the surgery was scheduled for June. During nurse leader rounds, the manager learned the surgery was rescheduled for May, and the patient was profusely thankful. Had Judy not taken the time to listen to this patient, and act on what she learned, this patient may have been discharged without a follow-up plan in place. Thank you, Judy, for being a true patient advocate.”
Thank you, Judith Jones — “We are Proud You are a WakeMed Nurse!”
March 2022 Winner: Dana Rogers
WakeMed Cary Hospital — Nurses
Nominated by: A patient
Congratulations, Dana Rogers, for being recognized as the March 2022 DAISY Award Recipient!
Below is an excerpt from the DAISY Award nomination written about you:
“I was admitted to Labor and Delivery to go through a c-section due to fetal demise at full term. I was completely heartbroken and vulnerable. Dana was assigned to me at the darkest time of my life. She was kind, considerate and very attentive. I was overcome with grief and constantly cried for my baby. Dana held my hand, soothed me, listened to me and even cried with me. She understood my needs of just pouring my heart, out so the healing can begin. She talked about the importance of seeking grief counseling and how it can help me manage my grief and emotions. I have since taken her advice and counseling is helping me talk about my grief and understand how life grows around it.
This was my first hospital stay, and I didn’t know what to expect of the nurses. Dana’s demeanor made me realize how noble this profession is, and it cannot be just ‘work’ but a passion to care and look after others.
She deserves all the accolades and blessings in life.”
Thank you, Dana Rogers — “We are Proud You are a WakeMed Nurse!”
February 2022 Winner: Alexis Brewer
WakeMed Cary Hospital — Nurses
Nominated by: A patient's daughter
Congratulations, Alexis Brewer, for being recognized as the February 2022 DAISY Award Recipient!
Below is an excerpt from the DAISY Award nomination written about you:
“Our 90-year-old father, with chronic pulmonary disease, came to STICU with three broken ribs, severe pain and difficulty breathing. Alexis was his day-shift nurse his entire stay, and she made us feel as if she were caring for her own family. She made our father at ease with friendly conversation. Although she had other patients, there was never a need that went without a prompt response. She listened to each of his concerns and discomforts and worked along with us to find the best resolution to each challenge. Alexis had just the right balance of push and care to encourage our father to tackle the difficult and painful obstacles he needed to face in order to make progress in his healing. Within 48 hours of his arrival in STICU, his improvement in mobility and lung function was apparent to all.
"We believe dad’s improvement is a direct result of the care and encouragement he received from Alexis, and without her care, concern and encouragement our father may not have made it through this crisis.
"We could not have asked for a better health care partner to help our father face and conquer this tremendous health challenge.”
Thank you, Alexis Brewer — “We are Proud You are a WakeMed Nurse!”
December 2021 Winner: Erin Hobgood
WakeMed Cary Hospital — Nurses
Nominated by: A patient
Congratulations, Erin Hobgood, for being recognized as the December 2021 DAISY Award Recipient!
Below is an excerpt from the DAISY Award nomination written about you:
“I first met Erin on the worst day of my life. When my son was three days old, he coded in the special care nursery and received lifesaving intervention by more hospital staff than I could count. Erin was one of them. When she first introduced herself, she was pumping each breath into our son’s lungs after he was intubated. My husband and I were terrified. When everything seemed to be spinning around us, she took the time to explain what was going on and what was going to happen going forward. Our son, Lucas, was transported to the NICU and stayed for a total of 30 days. Erin came to visit us throughout our stay, she was so kind and always provided reassurance. I looked forward to seeing her familiar face and was touched by her genuine care.
"Fast forward to June 2021 when Erin had worked my planned c-section of our daughter, Emma.
"Everyone we came in contact with that morning had already talked to Erin and were so excited for us. It was like Erin had done all the planning and preparation for an actual birthday celebration! I was extremely anxious going into surgery but knowing Erin was there to care for our baby girl gave me so much comfort. She made sure someone captured our first family moments, made the cutest bow hat, documented all of Emma’s stats beautifully and even wrote down the songs that were playing during her birth. Erin’s outstanding care didn’t stop after our amazing delivery. She helped me through a lot of grief when we were facing another NICU admission. She understood the PTSD we had from the events with Lucas and without even asking, she made sure Emma was not placed in the same room Lucas had been in. Nurses like Erin are worth their weight in gold. She will always hold a special place in our hearts for all she has done for our family.”
Thank you, Erin Hobgood — “We are Proud You are a WakeMed Nurse!”
November 2021 Winner: Mary Margaret Callahan
WakeMed Raleigh Campus - Nurses
Nominated by: Jackeline Cockerton, a travel nurse
Congratulations, Mary Margaret Callahan, for being recognized as the November 2021 DAISY Award Recipient!
Below is an excerpt from the DAISY Award nomination written about you:
“I am a traveler on 5A, and this is my first travel assignment ever. Before I came here, I was a staff nurse on a 12-bed ICU for 2.5 years. In my decision to leave staff nursing for travel nursing, COVID-19 played a huge part. It was not an easy decision, but I needed a break from COVID-19 (mainly, all of the death surrounding the virus). I prayed long and hard after receiving notification COVID-19 patients would be admitted to 5A. I prayed for strength, among many other things. There is really no way to ever leave behind or at the ‘bedside’ what I’ve seen, or the emotions I’ve felt. After much prayer, I reassured myself that I would be able to take care of COVID-19 patients on 5A.
"Tonight, I was assigned my first COVID-19 patient since leaving staff nursing. I tried to hold myself together and be professional, but just like that, I began uncontrollably crying trying to set up the room. If it had not been for Mary Margaret, I think I would’ve had to ask to leave because I was so unexpectedly emotional. Mary Margaret was so unbelievably comforting and kind to me during my time of need. She offered to swap patient assignments, which she didn’t have to do. The only time I had met her before this shift was in passing — this was our first shift working side-by-side in a foyer together. Even though she barely knew me, she was still so genuinely caring and kind, as if she had known me all of her life. She deserves huge kudos for going above and beyond as a coworker and friend. Also, to all of 5A Night Shift: I have never experienced this kind of genuine, amazing non-stop teamwork, support and overall great attitude from literally everyone while working as a nurse, until I came here. From the bottom of my heart — thank you. I am so blessed to be able to work on this unit with ya’ll.”
Thank you, Mary Margaret — “We are Proud You are a WakeMed Nurse!”
October 2021 Winner: Olivia Galloway
WakeMed Raleigh Campus - Nurses
Nominated by: Patient
Congratulations, Olivia Galloway, for being recognized as the October 2021 DAISY Award Recipient!
Below is an excerpt from the DAISY Award nomination written about you:
“Olivia was the night-shift nurse who took really good care of me. She was always positive, helpful and respectful. Both of my arms were broke,n and I couldn’t do anything for myself, besides change the channel on the TV and call the nurse by pushing the button. She did things for me like wipe my eyes when they got stuff in them and helped me drink water when I was thirsty. She did these things happily and didn’t make me feel like I was a burden or causing trouble. Where she provided outstanding care was after my surgery, which I had a nerve block that was supposed to last 24-72 hours; however, it only lasted ten hours. Then very intense pain came roaring in. I was on some pain meds, but not enough to handle the pain I was feeling. Olivia knew I was struggling and went into action. She looked at my chart and realized I didn’t have enough pain medication prescribed given the nerve block wore off. She tracked down a physician to issue a prescription for a stronger pain killer. Olivia stayed with me and provided encouragement to help me make it. It was some of the most intense pain I have felt in my life (matched only by the bike accident that caused me to break my arms and be in the hospital in the first place). While we were waiting for the physician’s prescription, she couldn’t take away my pain, but she made it more bearable through her support and encouragement. For that, I will always be grateful.
“Overall, Olivia was outstanding as she connected with me as a human being and provided emotional support and encouragement during my suffering,n addition to doing all the other things nurses do to care for patients.”
Thank you, Olivia — “We are Proud You are a WakeMed Nurse!”
September 2021 Winner: Mike Papasidero
WakeMed Raleigh Campus - Nurses
Nominated by: Child Life Specialist
Congratulations, Mike Papasidero, for being recognized as the September 2021 DAISY Award Recipient!
Below is an excerpt from the DAISY Award nomination written about you:
“As a Child Life Specialist, I was consulted by one of Mike’s coworkers to assist a patient’s children in saying goodbye. This patient had five children ranging in age from seven years old to late 20s. I began answering the children’s questions about various topics — the funeral process, the hospital, etc. One of the children then asked 'What happens next?' I looked at Mike for assistance, and he handled this question beautifully stating, 'We will clean your mom and make her comfortable, and she will be cared for and kept comfortable until the funeral home picks her up.' I later thanked Mike for his kind description of the next steps, and he explained 2E nurses have become experts in explaining next steps in a kind way during COVID. While Mike was giving this patient’s family time and space for a peaceful goodbye, a social situation arose. Mike navigated this sticky social situation incredibly well while keeping the immediate family at the center of care. I watched Mike comfort each and every family member along with providing beautiful care to this patient at the end of her life.
“Thank you, Mike. I know you had a huge impact on these children during one of the saddest days of their lives. And thank you for being receptive to me joining your team that night.”
Thank you, Mike — “We are Proud You are a WakeMed Nurse!”
July 2021 Winner: Melissa Babjko
WakeMed Raleigh Campus - Nurses
Nominated by: Patient
Congratulations, Melissa Babjko, for being recognized as the July 2021 DAISY Award Recipient!
Below is an excerpt from the DAISY Award nomination written about you:
“I came in to have a day surgery; however, sadly after surgery in the PACU, I was found to have left-side weakness and was admitted to the neuro floor. Prior to my surgery, I was a full-time working mom of four, living a very busy, full, independent life. To go from full independence to needing help moving in bed, getting washed, eating, dressing and using the bathroom is an incredibly humbling and overwhelming experience. I was so incredibly blessed to have one of the most amazing nurses caring for me. Melissa listened to every fear, encouraged me when I was discouraged and help me laugh when I was devastated. She cared about me as a person — I wasn’t just a patient. I was someone who she truly wanted to help get better. I had struggled with something all day, but the issue wasn’t resolved. As soon as Melissa came on shift, she immediately called the doctor and made my concern a top priority. Every question, every fear, everything was dealt with when Melissa was on. She helped me emotionally, physically and mentally.
“As a nurse myself, I have always strived to be the most kind compassionate person to my patients and their families. Being in such a vulnerable, helpless state made me realize how important that kind, gentle, helping hand is. Melissa has an incredible gift of kindness, compassion, encouragement and joy. She was literally sunshine in the middle of the biggest storm in my life. I know that she must make a difference in people’s lives every day. She truly is what everyone should strive to be. Thank you, Melissa. I will be forever grateful for your kindness during the most devastating period of my life.”
Thank you, Melissa — “We are Proud You are a WakeMed Nurse!”
April 2021 Winner: Linda Mangino
WakeMed Cary Hospital - Nurses
Nominated by: Members of the Work Life Council
Congratulations, Linda Mangino, for being recognized as the April 2021 DAISY Award Recipient!
Below is an excerpt from the DAISY Award nomination written about you:
“Linda fits the category of a DAISY as she consistently goes above and beyond in her practice. 3W has had the pleasure of providing the care for a very special young man. He has captured the hearts of all our nurses as seen by the many stuffed animals, special masks, pillows and wall coverings. This young man has no visitors; he cannot talk, walk or feed himself, but he can laugh and smile and show his joy even with the smallest act of kindness. For Valentine’s Day, she made him her Valentine. She came in on her day off, showered him with some gifts and gave him her time. Linda was spotted rolling this man in his special chair all over the halls, talking and engaging with him. He had a ball! He had a Valentine! This is the heart of a DAISY Recipient.”
Thank you, Linda – “We are Proud You are a WakeMed Nurse!”
April 2021 Winner: Linda Mangino
WakeMed Cary Hospital - Nurses
Nominated by: Members of the Work Life Council
Congratulations, Linda Mangino, for being recognized as the April 2021 DAISY Award Recipient!
Below is an excerpt from the DAISY Award nomination written about you:
“Linda fits the category of a DAISY as she consistently goes above and beyond in her practice. 3W has had the pleasure of providing the care for a very special young man. He has captured the hearts of all our nurses as seen by the many stuffed animals, special masks, pillows and wall coverings. This young man has no visitors; he cannot talk, walk or feed himself, but he can laugh and smile and show his joy even with the smallest act of kindness. For Valentine’s Day, she made him her Valentine. She came in on her day off, showered him with some gifts and gave him her time. Linda was spotted rolling this man in his special chair all over the halls, talking and engaging with him. He had a ball! He had a Valentine! This is the heart of a DAISY Recipient.”
Thank you, Linda – “We are Proud You are a WakeMed Nurse!”
March 2021 Winner: Ke Yang
WakeMed Cary Hospital - Nurses
Nominated by: Members of the Work Life Council
Congratulations, Ke Yang, for being recognized as the March 2021 DAISY Award Recipient!!!
Below are excerpts from the three DAISY Award nominations written about you:
“Ke always goes above and beyond the expected responsibilities of a WakeMed nurse. Recently, she set the bar extremely high when she went out of her way to make sure a patient was comfortable and provide familiarity during unprecedented COVID times. This particular patient was non-English speaking and while the use of the Language Line is always readily available, having someone to converse within ones familiar language can put one at ease. With COVID preventing visitors, this patient was unable to have family members at the bedside. Ke took it upon herself to pick up multiple extra shifts during this patient’s stay to provide the patient peace of mind and the feeling of being at home. Ke is someone I would be fortunate and blessed to have as a nurse caring for any of my family members. She encompasses all that nurses should be and more!”
“Ke is always going above and beyond for our patients. We have had a patient with a language barrier and dementia, and Ke signed up for several overtime shifts to be here for the patient. Ke exemplifies outstanding nursing and exhibits the WakeWay in all she does!”
“Ke was a sitter for my patient and was so much help. She went above and beyond to take care of my patient and make sure she was comfortable and cared for regardless of the circumstances. Ke, thank you for ALL that you do!”
Thank you, Ke – “We are Proud You are a WakeMed Nurse!”
February 2021 Winner: Katherine Nguru
WakeMed Raleigh Campus - Nurses
Nominated by: Patient and colleagues
Congratulations, Katherine Nguru, for being recognized as the January 2021 DAISY Award Recipient!!!
Below is an excerpt from the DAISY Award nomination written about you both:
“While most RN’s are knowledgeable, kind and compassionate, Katherine excels at all of these characteristics, but she does one more thing that separates her from all her colleagues – and that is her ability to bring humor to any situation. I have never had a nurse that has made me laugh more than Katherine. As a palliative patient where the element of death is always overshadowing how the conversations go with all who enter the room, Katherine doesn’t tiptoe around what is appropriate to say. She instead brings an invaluable ability not to allow my status to drive the talk. She has rather had me in tears with laughter. Any and all topics were discussed with pure humor. I have never laughed so much in my life. She has certainly made my stay here at WakeMed the best hospitalization I have ever had."
"Katherine is one of a kind. She is the RN EVERY PATIENT wants to have. For these reasons she makes the DAISY Award selection a no brainer. She is all that the award stands for!"
“I love this team because of various reasons. She always has a positive attitude and a creative mind. Katherine is a very clean nurse and intelligent mentor who understands her patient’s values. She is a role model and deserves recognition.”
Thank you, Katherine — “We are Proud You are a WakeMed Nurse!”
December 2020 Winner: Tiffany Tippin and Jennifer Bishop
WakeMed Raleigh Campus - Nurses
Nominated by: Patient
Congratulations, Tiffany Tippin and Jennifer Bishop, for being recognized as the December 2020 DAISY Award Recipient!!!
Below is an excerpt from the DAISY Award nomination written about you both:
“It has taken me some time to write about my experience; however, I felt it important to recognize these two exceptional nurses for their tremendous work, and that is why I am nominating them for the DAISY Award.
“I experienced the tragic stillbirth of our firstborn, beautiful baby girl. As a WakeMed employee, I was fortunate to be put in contact with Tiffany. Without knowing me, Tiffany called me to talk about my options and the differences between planning an induction versus a D&E. On the phone, she was professional, sympathetic and very warm. When I arrived on the unit, Tiffany greeted me with a big hug and walked us to our room which was at the end of the hallway, so we wouldn’t hear other mothers and their newborns. She walked us through every step of the process. I still remember her sitting at my bedside with an assortment of beautiful pink blankets and hats that I could choose to dress our baby girl in. It was such a special moment despite the sadness, and one I will always remember.
“Tiffany has a very calming presence, and I felt such trust in her and knew we were in good hands. Before she left at the end of her shift, she introduced us to our night nurse, Jennifer. Tiffany told us we’d love her, and she was right. Jennifer, like Tiffany, was an exceptional nurse: sweet, empathetic, comforting, professional and knowledgeable. Jennifer kept me as calm and comfortable as possible, made sure my husband and I were well taken care of and quickly came to our aid anytime we needed her. Shortly after midnight, I delivered our baby girl. I remember being so afraid to see her, for fear that seeing her would only make our pain worse. Jennifer and my OB walked us through seeing her for the first time. One of my fondest memories that night was waking up to hearing Jennifer talking in the sweetest voice to our baby girl as she gently removed her from the cuddle cot to get her tiny hand and footprints. I remember hearing Jennifer say, 'Hi sweet girl' as she picked up our baby. She never treated our baby or us as though we were different.
“The next day, we left the hospital in the late afternoon. Leaving our baby at the hospital was the moment I dreaded the most. I remember telling Tiffany how fearful I was about leaving her behind. As we gathered our belongings to leave, we were greeted in our room by a familiar face. Tiffany, on her day off, stopped by the hospital to support us in that moment and walk us to our car. That gesture meant so much to us, and I think it exemplifies Tiffany as a person and nurse. Tiffany and Jennifer are truly the most compassionate, caring and loving individuals. I hope they know what a difference they have made in our lives. We will always think fondly of them and are grateful for their exceptional care while navigating the heartbreaking loss of our baby girl.”
Thank you, Tiffany and Jennifer — “We are Proud You are WakeMed Nurses!”