DAISY Award Winners - December 2025

  "Vanessa was my L&D nurse for my two nights for my delivery of my second child. Vanessa was the most attentive and caring nurse. She explained in detail everything she did starting the Pitocin. As soon as my pain got too bad, she called for anesthesiologist and explained the epidural and ensured my labor pain was alleviated. Vanessa was the epitome of what a woman would want in a nurse by her side through labor. When she came on, she checked my cervix, and I was at 10 cm. From that moment on, she never left my side.

This was by far one of the scariest moments of my life going through such a traumatic birth of my daughter. But Vanessa being by my side was my saving grace. She is an incredible nurse, kind, empathic, knowledgeable, and patient. She’s everything a woman would want a nurse during labor. I hope so much she will receive the Daisy award for being such an incredible nurse. I will never forget what she has done for me on one of the most important days in my life.

On 9/22/25, my daughter was sent to the hospital to be induced. Vanessa was her night nurse that night induction started. Vanessa was always present. She explained every change and discussed every call to the doctor. She was kind, attentive, all in all a great nurse so we requested her the next night. Right after report she came in and checked my daughter’s cervix and told it was 10 cm so she told us she could help my daughter with a couple of trial pushes to see where we stood. Vanessa did not leave my daughter side until she was transferred to couplet care. During those five or six hours, I witnessed just how much of an extraordinary nurse Vanessa is. As I said I have had the opportunity to see hundreds of nurses in action because of this I know a special nurse when I see one and Vanessa is that nurse. She is everything you would expect in a nurse and more. To be a good nurse you have to be a special type of person. But to be a great nurse you have to be amazing! Vanessa fits every Bill. She is so kind. She is knowledgeable and if she doesn’t know an answer, she knows who to ask. She is competent and strong. I could go on and on how Vanessa made this beautiful, special moment go the best it could. Vanessa is the nurse that every other nurse in the world should strive to be like. Vanessa is the nurse every patient deserves to have, which is why I am nominating her for the Daisy award. I don’t imagine anyone else being more deserving"

 "This nomination for the Daisy award is written with enthusiasm. While the award often honors those who stand in the spotlight, Cheryl is a leader who works much of her time behind the scenes. She creates an environment where every other “daisy” under unit has the chance to bloom. She is a compassionate and knowledgeable leader whose quiet strength and unwavering support have an immeasurable impact on both staff and patients.

Her behind-the-scenes efforts are the backbone of the unit. She expertly manages the scheduling, anticipates challenges, and secures the resources needed to provide exceptional patient care. Her outstanding organizational skills and focus knowledge were evident when she created new forms for the team, including the SBAR for PICC team; she researched and advocated for evidence-based practices; and she anticipated a staffing issue in time to address it before it became a problem. This proactive approach prevents issues from escalating, making the unit safer and more efficient.

Cheryl’s caring nature extends beyond her administrative tasks. Her exceptional ability to perform every role on this unit with excellence makes her invaluable. Cheryl never hesitates to jump into a patient care role when staffing is tight, and she is always first on the scene of a code or RRT. Additionally, she has an intuitive ability to recognize when a team member is struggling and offers support. For instance, when an employee is learning a new procedure, Cheryl checks in with them more frequently than anyone else, providing assistance and reinforcing their understanding. Her confidence in our policies and procedures, combined with her sincere compassion, ensures her team feels valued and supported. Cheryl goes the extra mile in every aspect of her role but her ability to step back and allow others to shine demonstrates her commitment to developing the talent around her.

The combination of her clinical knowledge, empathy and ability to empower her team makes her standout candidate for the DAISY award. She consistently models the highest standards of care and professionalism. The compassionate care that the Daisy award celebrates is possible because of her. For every daisy on the unit that gets the chance to grow, there is a dedicated gardener like Cheryl making it possible.

Cheryl deserves a recognition for exceptional efforts. She truly embodies the spirit of the Daisy award."

 "Stephanie is always willing to help whenever she can and truly goes above and beyond for her patients. She steps in without being asked, supports her team with genuine kindness and consistently brings calm and compassion to every shift. She advocates, listens, and always takes the extra time to make sure her patients feel safe and cared for. She is the kind of nurse who makes our unit better every single day, and she absolutely deserves this recognition"

 "Jessica was transparent about patient care and informative about what grandpa needed and the steps to get him better. She was kind and patient and truly listened to what he needed, making him feel comfortable and us confident that he was receiving the care he deserved. 

She asked how he was responding and showed genuine care for how he was improving and how he could be most comfortable. We appreciated her honesty, optimism, and overall concern in ensuring she was present for him each day she was his nurse. Thank you for making this time easier for everyone and showing grandpa love and care."

Congratulations to our wonderful RN's Vanessa, Cheryl, Stephanie, and Jessica —we’re so proud to have you on Team AVMC!

The DAISY Award is a meaningful way to honor the extraordinary care nurses provide every day, and if you know a nurse who has made a lasting impact, we encourage you to nominate them and help us celebrate their dedication.