Exemplary nurses at UCI Health honored with DAISY Awards

Expertise, compassion define those who receive the recognition

Orange, Calif. — UCI Health recently honored nurses who made a difference in the lives of their patients with the DAISY Award, a prestigious recognition of nursing excellence.

Katherine Hermosillo, a nurse in the UCI Health — Orange medical intensive care unit (MICU), was nominated for demonstrating deep compassion and care during a patient’s last days.

“Coming across Kathy on the first day, I knew we had lucked out,” wrote the nominator, the adult child of the patient. “She asked about our relationship in a way that showed she genuinely wanted to know, which personalized the care I felt my mom was receiving by her.”

Ronny Ao

Ronny Ao was also nominated by the adult child of a patient. At the time, Ao was a nurse in the emergency department annex at UCI Health — Orange. He now in the oncology unit at UCI Health — Irvine.

“He approaches the care of his patients with calmness, expertise and compassion,” the patient’s daughter wrote. “He was able to communicate updates and information and, most importantly, assure my mom while my dad needed emergent care.”

Sunflower Award recipients

The Sunflower Award recognizes support staff at UCI Health who go above and beyond for patients and their co-workers.

Barenka Cano

Barenka Cano, a senior hospital assistant at UCI Health — Orange, received the honor after being nominated by a patient who noticed her care and attention to detail.

“She planned for me to get washed, the sheets to be changed, my sore areas to be lifted and everything was done in a professional, but loving and caring manner that filled me with joy,” the patient said.

 

Alicia Cortero Tepal

Alicia Cortero Tepal, also a senior hospital assistant in Orange, was recognized for her efforts to comfort a patient who was depressed after a fall.

“Alicia never stopped telling me not to give up and continue to recover,” the patient recalled. “She never stopped and she really cared about me and now I want to get better.”

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 the DAISY and Sunflower awards

The individual DAISY Award recognizes a nurse for being an outstanding role model. To be nominated for this award, they must consistently demonstrate a caring attitude focusing on meeting the needs of patients and families, listen with their heart, significantly makes a difference in the life of a patient, shows good assessment and critical thinking skills and brings enthusiasm and energy to their daily work. The DAISY Award committee selects one nominated nurse each month who exemplifies what it means to truly be an outstanding caregiver.

The Sunflower Award recognizes a deserving ancillary staff member (nursing assistant, therapists, technicians, etc.) who demonstrates exceptional teamwork that positively impacts the patient.