03/15/2024
We’re pleased to announce the DAISY regional award winners who have earned praise from patients, colleagues and families. Honored for the extraordinary care they give patients, these nurses are fully invested in their patients’ recoveries. Here’s what makes them special:
Critical Illness Recovery Hospitals DAISY Winners
Angela Small - Select Specialty Hospital - Oakland
Angela was nominated for her compassion, patience and willingness to create a calm, peaceful environment. She goes above and beyond ensuring her patients feel comfortable and communicating every process and procedure they will go through.
“Angela is an amazing nurse… a prime example of everything a nurse should represent. She is kind, compassionate, shows empathy and is honest with you. She always knocked on my door and asked if she could come in. This may not seem like much, but for me it showed she respected me as a person and thought about me,” said a former patient.
Angelica “Gel” Knauer - Select Specialty Hospital - Knoxville
Gel was recognized by her colleagues for providing exceptional patient care. A fellow nurse said, “She is not only an extraordinary nurse but always goes the extra mile for her patients. I witnessed her making a birthday banner and card for a patient celebrating her birthday alone.” She gave the patient a gift to cheer her up. Gel’s compassion is outstanding, another colleague said, noting she had witnessed Gel sit beside a dying patient who was on comfort care (focused on pain relief and quality of life). “He had no family with him. She held his hand during his hardest time.”
Brandy Schulze - Select Specialty Hospital - York
Brandy was nominated for her ability to communicate with patients and colleagues. “She is what every nurse should be,” said a patient family member. “She knows us all by name, not just a room number. She listens to us regardless if it is a family story we want to share or concerns over care. She is personable and simply amazing to work with. Brandy is one of the very few nurses who understands neuro patients.” One patient family member noted that even when she is not your nurse that day, she still checks in to say hi. Another family member closed a nomination with, “Brandy, I don’t know if you will ever see this, but thank you…. I will never forget you.”
Crystal Wagner - Select Specialty Hospital - TriCities
Nominated for her compassion and going the extra mile, one of Crystal’s colleagues said, “We had a patient struggling with depression due to having a prolonged hospital stay. Crystal quickly recognized this patient’s need for extra attention and social interaction. She addressed this patient’s mental needs by spending extra time with the patient. Crystal also incorporated the patient into her work routine, allowing her to sit outside of her room while she completed her computer tasks. These simple acts boosted the patient’s mood and their demeanor improved significantly. Other staff took note of the positive impact of this and began to follow suit.
Jessica Allers - Select Specialty Hospital - Corewell Health Grand Rapids
Jessica was nominated by a patient’s daughter. Jessica provided excellent care despite a busy schedule and helped the daughter through a time where she “was anxious, confused and scared about what was happening to this vibrant, loving man.” The nominator added, “Jessica touched my life in a deeply personal way by talking to me as a person … it only took three minutes for her to build rapport with me and explain things that literally changed my life as we went forward.”
Kellen Chad Byers - Select Specialty Hospital - Nashville West
Chad was recognized by his patient for being incredibly thoughtful and reliable. “I was feeling lost and discouraged one day and Chad popped in to check on me. When he saw how I looked, he immediately took a seat next to me and gave me comfort and words of encouragement.” Chad’s nominator said that on multiple occasions Chad would check on her even though she wasn’t his assigned patient. Chad was also recognized for ensuring that the patient’s family was comfortable. “What a pleasure to encounter such a fine young man, especially as my nurse,” said his patient.
Theresa Reposa - Select Specialty Hospital - Northeast New Jersey
A colleague nominated Theresa for her outstanding compassion. Her nominator related a story about a long-time resident whose family was unable to visit during Christmas due to illness. Theresa “went out of her way and bought the patient a Christmas gift and spent time with him.” When the patient’s doctor saw him, he had been moved to tears, expressing how grateful he was for Terry’s actions.
Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospitals DAISY Winners
Jackie Lewellyn - Banner Rehabilitation Hospital - Phoenix
Jackie received three nominations, all of which mentioned her professionalism, compassion and caring attitude. One patient wrote: “She has gone beyond what’s asked of her just to make things a little better or easier. Her care made me feel more comfortable while staying here. She’s selfless in what she does and puts the care of her patients above all.” Another patient shared that Jackie was quick to take action when his blood pressure plummeted. “Jackie took control of the situation, got my IV and medications and made sure that I was okay. Her knowledge, care and compassion are commendable.”
Vrondria Billups - Cleveland Clinic Rehabilitation Hospital - Beachwood
Vrondria was nominated by a physician who happened to overhear a conversation with a patient and her family. “The patient was depressed about her prognosis and her lack of progress. Vrondria listened to the patient, acknowledged her fears and provided a kind and compassionate response. She did not give false hope, but what she did give was empathy and encouragement, which is what I believe the patient and her family needed.” The physician continued, writing: “She is definitely the kind of person we need caring for our rehab patients, many of whom have had their lives changed forever.” Vrondria was complimented by her leaders and coworkers alike, who praised her skills, clinical judgment and ability to make even the most difficult day calm.”
Dominique Brockington - Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation - Marlton
Dominque was nominated for her passion for nursing, kindness and her commitment to both patient and family care. Her nominator was impressed by watching Dominique work effectively with multiple patients and other members of the care team. “It is wonderful to witness the many caring employees at Kessler—especially Dominque,” said the nominator. “She exemplifies sincere passion, a desire to exceed expectations and, most of all, the ability to put people at ease by providing comfort. She sets a high bar for patient and family care—a great example for her peers to aspire to.”
Jaclynn “Jackie” Nelson - SSM Health Rehabilitation Hospital - Lake Saint Louis
Jackie was lauded for her kindness, caring nature and listening skills. “She will do anything to figure out what may be causing symptoms for patients,” her supervisor wrote. The patient who nominated Jackie said, “She filled the room with smiles and positivity,” and added, “She is truly concerned about you, just like a family member would be.” The patient stated that Jackie consistently went above and beyond to soothe her worries and make her time in rehab as comfortable as possible.
