DAISY Nurse Leader Award recipients celebrated by colleagues
Charge nurse, nurse manager honored for compassion, skill
Orange, Calif. — Two nurses at UCI Health — Orange have been honored with the DAISY Nurse Leadership for exceptional dedication to both patients and their co-workers.
Rhodel Agatep, a charge nurse in the UCI Health — Orange cardiology intensive care unit (CVICU), earned the honor for exemplifying compassion and skill.
“Rhodel leads with a calm, steady presence, as well as integrity and empathy — qualities that make all the difference in a high-acuity unit like the CVICU,” a colleague wrote in her nomination letter.
“He is not only a skilled nurse leader, but he is the type of leader who uplifts the entire team, sets the standard for compassionate care, and quietly makes everyone around him better.”
The DAISY Nurse Leader Award recognizes nurses who typically do not have direct patient care, such as nurse managers, charge nurses and chief nursing officers.
Jane Bon.UCI Health — Orange nurse manager Jane Bon also received the award for her efforts to honor a veteran who had unexpectedly passed away.
“The entire team was able to show appreciation and support for our veteran. This is truly a sign of leadership and going above and beyond for our patients,” Bon’s colleague wrote in her nomination.
Raadhiya Zekeria and her team.UCI Health — Fountain Valley surgical nurse Raadhiya Zekeria received a DAISY Award because of the support she gives her co-workers.
“From the day that I joined this unit, she made me feel valued and heard,” her nominator wrote. “Whenever I needed her, she would come right away.”
Sunflower Award recipients
Chanel Liu.Patient Experience team member Chanel Liu received the Sunflower Award, which recognizes non-nursing staff for their service, after being nominated by the mother of a young patient with autism.
“Chanel’s kindness made a significant difference in our day,” the nominator wrote.
“She approached us with a calm and gentle demeanor using soothing words and patience to encourage my son to the elevator. She then went above and beyond by personally escorting us to the therapy department, ensuring he remained calm and comfortable. Her empathy and willingness to help is truly remarkable.”
UCI Health — Lakewood recognized senior ultrasound technologist Virgi Sevilleno with the Sunflower Award for her outstanding contributions to patient care and diagnostic excellence.
“Her technical expertise, attention to detail and compassionate approach consistently elevate the patient experience with a calm and caring presence,” her nomination letter said.
How to nominate a team member
Anyone can nominate an exceptional nurse or patient care team member for a DAISY or Sunflower Award, including faculty, staff and patients. Simply fill out the appropriate nomination form below:
- DAISY Nurse Leader Award nomination form ›
- DAISY Team Award nomination form ›
- DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses nomination form ›
- Sunflower Ancillary Staff Award nomination form ›
About UCI Health
UCI Health, one of California’s largest academic health systems, is the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. The 1,317-bed system comprises its main campus UCI Medical Center, its flagship hospital in Orange, Calif., the UCI Health — Irvine medical campus, four hospitals and affiliated physicians of the UCI Health Community Network in Orange and Los Angeles counties and a network of ambulatory care centers across the region. UCI Medical Center provides tertiary and quaternary care and is home to the only Orange County-based National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, high-risk perinatal/neonatal program and American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center, gold level 1 geriatric emergency department and regional burn center. Powered by UC Irvine, UCI Health serves 5.6 million people in Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).