UHS celebrates nurses, the heart of the patient experience

Healthcare in the U.S. has changed dramatically over the past 50 years and the profession of nursing has evolved with it, becoming more indispensable than ever in creating a great patient experience. Nursing today is often called the “lifeblood of healthcare organizations.”

This evolution has resulted in nurses being trained to a higher level of professional practice than ever before and, with their extensive education and hands-on skills, being acknowledged as highly respected members of the healthcare team.

“Our nurses are at the heart of every patient experience across the entire UHS system,” said Kay Boland, RN, senior vice president, chief nursing officer and chief operating officer of UHS. “From hospitals and walk-ins to home care and community outreach, our nurses provide compassionate, high-quality care wherever it’s needed. They advocate for patients, educate families, and promote health and wellness throughout the many communities we serve — making a meaningful difference every day, at every touchpoint.”

There is no better time to recognize and honor nurses than National Nurses Week, observed May 6 to 12. The celebration begins with National Nurses Day on May 6 and ends May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale (1820-1910), the founder of modern nursing. The year 2025 marks the 71st year that Nurses Week has been a nationally recognized celebration.

Partners in every care setting

Nurses today at UHS are partners with all the other members of the patient care team in every clinical setting, from the operating room to home care. Nursing skill sets are exceptional and comparable to those of the most demanding professional disciplines.

“The close partnership between nurses and providers is indispensable to the care we provide at UHS,” said Jeffrey Gray, MD, chief medical officer at UHS Hospitals. “We are proud to have a clinical team in which every member is valued, complementing each other’s knowledge and skillsets to create a well-rounded care experience.”

Nurses possess extensive knowledge and expertise in diagnosing and treating patients’ responses to various health conditions, are advocates for the Culture of Safety in patient care, and act as a compassionate, calming presence during the healing process. Sometimes referred to as the “chameleons of healthcare,” nurses are known for their ability to adapt to various situations and manage the realities of modern healthcare, capable of showing empathy to all.

The primary role of a nurse is to be a caregiver for patients by managing physical needs, preventing illness, and treating health conditions. Nurses must also pay close attention to every detail of the patient's treatment and responsiveness. If a problem arises, nurses will often be the first to notice. That is why UHS nurses are directly involved in the decision-making process of treating patients, playing a significant role at every level and stage of care.

In addition to their role as clinicians, nurses often provide emotional support for patients and their families. This can include ensuring that the patient understands and is prepared for their treatment, listening to patients, and incorporating their physical, emotional, cultural, mental and spiritual needs into the plan of care.

“When you come to UHS seeking any kind of care, a member of our nursing staff will be there to provide skilled care and to advocate for your needs,” said Peggy Thomas, RN, vice president for Nursing and chief nursing officer at UHS Hospitals. “The role of our nurses is multifaceted, and we are so thankful for everything they do to ensure our patients feel welcomed, comfortable, and cared for.”

Empowered leaders

Our nurses do much more than just care for our patients; they are empowered leaders.

Because of nurses’ constant involvement, they are essential to the partnership that includes physicians, therapists, technicians and other allied health professionals.

Our clinical practitioners form multi-disciplinary teams that continually improve the day-to-day care experience of patients. Nurses make each other’s capabilities in the practice of their profession richer and more effective by sharing knowledge and expertise.

This is accomplished through “Shared Governance,” where registered nurses actively participate in unit and specialty nursing councils throughout the UHS System. These staff-led councils work closely with leadership to make improvements and changes that align with evidence-based practice and improve patient care outcomes.

Continuing and expanding recognition

UHS appreciates the dedication of our nurses and has established a number of programs to recognize and reward outstanding nursing care.

The DAISY Award is an international recognition program that honors and celebrates the skillful, compassionate care nurses provide every day. UHS launched our DAISY Award Program in April 2021 to honor our extraordinary nurses. Nurses are nominated by anyone in the organization — patients, family members, other nurses, physicians, other clinicians and staff — who experience or observe extraordinary care being provided by a nurse.

Each month, one nominee is selected and celebrated at an organizational and national level. Recipients recognized within the last year include Alanna Bowman, Ines Camacho, Kimberly Reardon, Annette Micholychak, Aly Fish, Annmarie Gallagher, Katelynn Bennett, Karen Scovell, Jason Gray, Nichole Gray, Tamera Compasso, and Kelly Buman.

In 2022, UHS added a DAISY Team Award, bestowed once a year during Nurses’ Week. Congratulations to the 2025 recipients, the cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU) team at UHS Wilson Medical Center.

If you have been touched by the hard work of a nurse or nursing team at UHS and would like to provide a nomination for a DAISY Award, please complete a form by clicking here.

In 2024, UHS also launched the Sunshine Program to recognize the extraordinary care and contributions of our non-licensed nursing support staff to ensure all of our nursing staff feel appreciated for the incredible work they do every day. Patients, families, and colleagues can nominate any of our non-licensed support staff based on demonstrating our UHS Values of Respect, Teamwork, Innovation, Trust and Compassion.

Each month, one nominee is selected for special recognition. Recipients of the award in its first year include: Alyse Evans, Ivalisa Villanueva, Tim O’Meara, Ciana Marte, Andrew Zalesski, Diane Schaffer, Kaleigh Natoli, and Valerie Oswald.

If you would like to nominate a member of our non-licensed nursing support staff, you can complete a form by clicking here.

Growing our compassionate team

As demands increase for the provision of quality healthcare services, UHS continues to invest in our nursing team. We may be the region’s largest healthcare system, but we’re also known for our small-town, family-oriented atmosphere and the friendly way employees support one another: we lift each other up and work together to put our patients first. Kindness is the norm.

Nurses joining UHS could have the opportunity to work in the new state-of-the-art Wilson Main Tower, which opened in June 2024. Along with an innovative design that supports both patients and clinical staff, the Wilson Main Tower is adapting modern technologies that make the care process more efficient for all.

Our nurses are key participants in our culture, recognized by the community and their colleagues for their commitment to our Values, provision of helpful service and devotion to supporting colleagues no matter the challenges that present themselves.

Whether you are an experienced nurse or just launching your career, you can find a home at UHS. Here, you’ll be positioned to succeed so you can do what you do best: listen to, respect, care for and give hope to our patients. Learn more about our many exciting nursing opportunities by clicking here.