A program to recognize the care and compassion of extraordinary nurses continues at UHS with Cristina DiFeo, RN, Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, UHS Wilson Medical Center, being named the most recent winner of the DAISY Award! Christina was recognized and presented with the award for the achievement and enjoyed cinnamon rolls, a symbolic treat in honor of Patrick Barnes, whose experience inspired the award.
The nurse was nominated by a patient’s parents. In the nomination letter, they described how Cristina provided exceptional care to their daughter through one of the most difficult and frightening days of her hospitalization – taking the time to carefully explain everything to both the parents and the patient, delivering care with a high level of compassion and professionalism.
They go on to describe how Christina’s care extended beyond her shift, how she comforted the patient in times that could have been overwhelming, and created an overall meaningful connection with the entire family.
“Cristina DiFeo is truly an extraordinary nurse,” the patient’s parents wrote. “Her compassion, dedication, and genuine care made an incredibly difficult time more manageable, and we will never forget the impact she had on our daughter and our family.”
Thank you to Cristina for treating our patients with such Compassion, a stellar example of our team living "The UHS Way!"
The DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune SYstem) Award is an international recognition program that honors and celebrates the skillful, compassionate care nurses provide every day. The DAISY Foundation was established by the family of J. Patrick Barnes after the Seattle man died from complications of the auto-immune disease ITP in 1999. During his hospitalization, the family members deeply appreciated the care and compassion shown to Patrick and his loved ones. When he died, they felt compelled to say thank you to nurses in a very public way. To learn more, visit DAISYFoundation.org.
Started at UHS in April 2021, nurses are nominated by anyone in the organization - patients, family members, other nurses, physicians, other clinicians and staff - who experiences or observes extraordinary care being provided by a nurse.
Nominations are submitted by using a form found on nyuhs.org. On this form, the person will be able to tell the story of why they are nominating the nurse while also choosing which UHS Value (Compassion, Trust, Respect, Teamwork, Innovation) the nurse displayed.
If you have any questions, please send an email to daisy@nyuhs.org.
