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DAISY Awards were recently presented to Angelica Ruggiero, Clinical Nurse II on the 1800 Unit, and Jessica Schneider, Clinical Nurse II on 2 North.  

Angelica received four nominations from patients and family members who appreciated her patience, compassion and communication skills. 

“Angelica was my dad’s nurse for several days,” wrote one family member. “She was always checking in on him. It was so helpful that she could speak with him in Tagalog to comfort him and cheer him up. Even pulling a double shift, she was just as kind and attentive as ever, even though I’m sure she was exhausted. While his other nurses have been very kind and professional, it’s hard to compare to Angelica. She just had that ‘special touch’ that’s hard to describe.”

Another family member wanted to acknowledge how hard Angelica worked to care for her mother, and appreciated the “positive vibes” she brought every time she entered the room. “She is working really hard and we never see her show tiredness. She is always happy, which makes my mom feel a lot better and lessens her worries about her sickness.” The family member also noted that the patient was grateful to have Angelica for her nurse, and her mother said her stay was great because of Angelica’s care.

A patient who had been in the hospital for a couple of days nominated Angelica because “she takes very good care of me, always seeing whatever I need.  She reports to the doctor whatever bad feelings I have immediately so I will have some relief.  She is the best nurse I have ever encountered, very caring and compassionate; I highly recommend her very much. She is the best so far.”

Another family member noted that Angelica was “caring, thorough, efficient, kind, and positive. She was tirelessly helping my mother the entire shift not once complaining that she might be busy with other patients as well. We felt well taken care of while the dignity of my disabled mom was respected!”

Jessica Schneider was nominated by a colleague for her exceptional care of a patient with a rare medical condition. The patient had been admitted for surgery, but was in the ICU overnight due to a rare genetic disorder with a history of anaphylactic reaction related to allergies. The patient came into the hospital with a specific medication to treat this potential reaction, and a dose had been given in the ICU, the colleague explained. 

“Jessica spent the first part of her shift with this patient, who helped her understand her symptoms, the treatment and how to administer the medication if needed,” the nominee wrote. “Together they developed a plan of care in case her symptoms appeared and knowledge that the medication was being stored in the pharmacy if needed. Approximately two hours later the patient was experiencing a seizure and displayed symptoms of potential anaphylactic reaction. Jessica, recognizing this due to the plan she had developed with the patient, called an RRT and immediately sent a coworker to the pharmacy to get the medication. The medication was administered and no progression of reaction occurred. It was due to Jessica taking the time at the start of her shift to develop a plan of care with the patient that resulted in quick action and treatment of a potentially dangerous reaction. The patient was so grateful to Jessica for taking the time to understand her needs and involving her in the plan of care. Jessica is a strong patient advocate and takes the time to involve her patients in their care.”

The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications from an auto-immune disease. The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.