DAISY Award Winners
Like everyone who works at EvergreenHealth, our DAISY Award winners are exceptional individuals. As part of the DAISY Award nomination process, we ask patients or their loved ones to tell us their stories and why their nurse deserves recognition.
We continue to celebrate the amazing care these nurses provide by sharing their patients' perspectives below.
Emily Ponce, BSN, RN
Unit: Oncology
Emily Ponce, BSN, RN
Nurse Emily from 6 Silver went above and beyond the call of duty as my RN. Many of my meds caused me severe discomfort, and Emily didn't let me down. Her compassionate response helped to alleviate excruciating pain.
Thank you, nurse Emily, for being such an amazing nurse. You are going to go far in your career. If I could nominate you many times over, I would do so. I hope in all honesty that you win this DAISY Award.
Just filling this out is bringing tears to my eyes because it meant so much what you did for me. Once again, thank you, nurse Emily!
Myrrh Jennings, BSN, RN
Unit: 5 Silver, CardioVascular NeuroSurg
Myrrh Jennings, BSN, RN
I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to my preceptor, Myrrh, for her guidance during my nurse residency program. Over the 13 shifts we worked together, she consistently prioritized patient safety and demonstrated exceptional nursing skills that left a lasting impact on me.
Whether caring for palliative patients and their families, managing agitated patients, advocating for better communication with providers, or warmly greeting every colleague—echo techs, phlebotomists, PT, OT, and janitors—she fostered a true sense of teamwork that enhanced the patient experience.
Myrrh's unwavering encouragement and belief in me made an incredible difference, shaping both my confidence and skills. She guided me through challenges with care, and her thoughtful approach has nurtured my readiness to take on whatever comes next.
Her example has truly inspired me—I hope to become a nurse like her one day! Thank you, Myrrh!
Brianna Thomas, BSN, RN
Unit: Family Maternity Center, Labor
Brianna Thomas, BSN, RN
I gave birth prematurely at almost five months and my baby did not survive. It was one of the most painful and challenging days of my life. In the midst of that heartbreak, I was incredibly fortunate to have Brianna as my nurse. Her gentleness, empathy, and unwavering kindness provided a sense of solace during such a dark time.
Lisa Strom, RN
Unit: Emergency Department, EvergreenHealth Monroe
Lisa Strom, RN
I had a very difficult time trying to resolve a simple billing issue with the company that processes claims for the doctors at the ED in Monroe. I finally called the Monroe ED to get help. Lisa is a nurse and wasn't even the person that would normally handle a question like this, but Evergreen should be very appreciative that she went above and beyond to help me try and resolve the issue. She was everything you would want in an employee - exceptionally kind, understanding, professional, and experienced. In no time at all, she faxed the billing information to the company.
Unfortunately, over the next few months, they were still billing the incorrect insurance. After getting nowhere, I called the ER again and was so relieved to have Lisa take my call. I couldn't believe she remembered me and the issue. She referred me to a patient advocate, and I'm glad to say the problem has been resolved with a refund check I received today. Evergreen is so very fortunate to have an employee like Lisa, who took it upon herself to go the extra mile. I'm so very thankful. I was getting frustrated to the point of not wanting to go to the Monroe ED again, even though everyone there did a great job taking care of me. Lisa turned that around.
I hope Evergreen will recognize this truly exceptional employee.
Lei Li, BSN, RN
Unit: MedSurg
Lei Li, BSN, RN
She was my son's night nurse. We arrived to the room late in the evening, an admit from the ED after an urgent care visit. He had a collapsed lung. He is 27, autistic, and hasn't had any serious medical issues so we were a little bewildered. No trauma or accidents, no pain/shortness of breath, just a spontaneous pneumothorax.
She was waiting for us when we arrived and quickly helped to get him set up on the monitors and such. She relayed information clearly and checked for understanding, so important for my son as he takes a bit to process things. She offered him snacks and drinks, important because he didn't have dinner, and routine is critical to his peace.
When they changed direction and decided to insert a chest tube a few hours later, she worked with the ER doc to get it done, reassuring and encouraging as he tried hard to tolerate the procedure when the local anesthetic was ineffective. She advocated repeatedly for radiology to come for the chest x-ray.
Through the night, she ensured he got some pain relief, quietly checked his vitals while he finally slept for a few hours and also helped me get situated for my overnight stay. She was kind, caring and professional from start to finish!
Nikki Paulson, RN
Unit: Surgery
Nikki Paulson, RN
As an RN who was facing brain surgery, I experienced some anxiety and honestly terrifying anticipation. As my surgery day approached, the thought of being wakened up in the middle of surgery with a halo on was scary but something I knew I would just have to get through.
On the morning of my procedure, Nikki came into pre-op and introduced herself to me and my friend, who is also a nurse. Her easygoing, calm, confident demeanor put us both at ease. She was very honest about what I would experience in the operating room and gave me total reassurance that she would be there when I opened my eyes.
I know OR nurses are usually not recognized for the work they do, but Nikki was truly a gem in soothing my nerves that day. When I opened up my eyes, she was right there, holding my hand, explaining where I was, and what was going on. I was startled to learn that the burr hole had not yet been drilled, and I had a bit of panic. She held my hand and talked calmly and confidently to me through it all. I'm pretty sure she still has bruises on her hand! She followed up the next day to make sure I was doing well up in the ICU.
Nikki is a great example of how OR nurses who circulate go above and beyond for their patients. She did not have to come to pre-op. She did not have to be there to hold my hand. She did not have to be there with the calm, reassuring voice. But she was all of those things, and in my opinion is very worthy of a DAISY Award!
From one nurse to another, thank you Nikki for all that you did! And I request you as my nurse for my second procedure!
Nicoleta Ispas, RN
Unit: Hospice/Home Care
Nicoleta Ispas, RN
We really had no idea what we were doing in caring for Helen until Nicoleta's arrival. She immediately provided education, guidance, recommendations, and reassurance. We were wonderfully comforted by her presence and expertise as was Helen. We were educated and guided beautifully. Our questions were answered, our anxieties addressed. Her presence and guidance proved invaluable in the weeks and the months ahead. We increasingly relied upon Nicoleta in the final weeks of Helen's life.
Nicoleta was sensitive to our needs as a family and always took whatever time was necessary for our questions. I really don't know how we would have navigated all this without her. Actually, I do know. Nicoleta kept us from sinking in the midst of the final months of Helen's life.
Margo Godyn, MSN, RN
Margo Godyn, MSN, RN
Margo is far more than a manager and a colleague. Since her arrival as manager in our ICU, the entire moral and cohesion of our ICU has been uplifted. As a nurse leader, she is caring, motivating, and inspiring. She has obtained her Masters while taking on her new role as ICU Manager and briefly interim Respiratory Therapy Manager since coming back to EvergreenHealth a year ago. I regularly hear employees say how much they appreciate her. For example, when they've come from other facilities that have never had reviews and never been asked about feedback from their manager, or had a manager who gave positive supportive feedback. The way she provides feedback is always uplifting and positive. Even if it's a situation that needs improvement.
Like when she has to talk to someone about something specific. She is truly open-minded and caring in her request regarding sensitive situations and feedback on how they can be improved. You walk away feeling good about the interaction. Knowing that everything is okay and that whatever it is is definitely going to get/be better. She is honest, caring, positive, and uplifting in how she delivers her feedback for improvement for our unit as a whole and us nurses individually. As part of the evidence-based practice Council and the resource council, she's always assisting nurses and helping to provide connections to make our ICU better on a daily basis. It feels great to be supported.
It is a truly unique person to be able to take a situation that needs to be attended to or corrected, listen openly, provide feedback, and help everybody work to improve as individuals and as a team. And walk away feeling great about the situation. She lets us know that we're not just nurses. We're amazing people, too, even if sometimes we too need help. She's here to help.
Margo's one of those people. She's one of those unique, amazing people who has that gift. We are so lucky to have her here in our ICU. An inspiring colleague, Nurse Leader, and Manager.
Becky Baldwin, BSN, RN
Unit: Oncology
I had just had surgery that afternoon and was transferred up to this room from the second floor. She was my nurse for the night and the minute that we met each other she was all about taking care of me. I was completely shell shocked, panicking, emotionally and physically. She would constantly come in checking on me, asking me how the pain was and if there was anything that she could do to help. Most of the time I was crying because I was in pain, and I was emotionally shot from what I had just experienced and from what I also had woken up from. My wife was at home and Becky supplied comfort to me just as though my wife would have.
The compassion that I got from Becky was outstanding and the world needs more people like that in it. She would see me shaking and come over and hold my hand and ask me if there was anything that she could do and I told her I'm sorry, but there wasn't anything but her holding my hand that helped keep me together. I told her thank you repeatedly. I think that she deserves more than just that.
When my wife arrived, she was very nice and very professional and very tender towards me in the situation that I was in. My wife is a diabetic and her blood sugar started to go low, so we asked if there was some orange juice and Becky brought it her in a cup with ice even. My wife was very impressed and felt very comfortable that Becky had been taking care of me while she was gone.
Throughout the night, I knew that she had opened the door to check on me and I just pretended to be asleep. At four in the morning, I got hold of her because I was in too much pain and I only had 2 1/2 hours of sleep total so far And I asked her if I could have some more pain medication and within one minute, she had everything back in the room, ready to help take the pain away. As I am starting to have a panic attack, she's caressing the top of my hand, trying to keep me sane and trying not to lose it as I was crying all over myself. It's that warm comfortable feeling you get from your mother when you're staying home from school sick and she gives you chicken noodle soup. Becky couldn't have made me feel more at home.
I believe that Becky should get the Daisy award and if not something else just as the equivalent if not even better. Like I said earlier, the world needs more people like Becky with compassion in their hearts and to share that with others. Well, she did more than that for me. Being alone in a hospital room is horrible, but Becky made sure that there was light in the darkness. I was in a bad place, and she saved me.
Please consider all that I've said and make your choice, but you definitely have a great nurse named Becky that works at EvergreenHealth!
Molly Solis, BSN, RN
Unit: 5 Silver, Cardiovascular NeuroSurg
In a time when so many are walking away from the profession, Molly is the reason why people like me are running toward it. Molly was my preceptor for 5 weeks, and I still can't believe how lucky I was to learn from her. She's the kind of nurse who makes you pause and think, This is exactly the kind of nurse I want to become.
Every day, Molly walked into each patient's room with calm confidence and a warm, steady presence, always smiling and always prepared. I watched her connect with patients so naturally, explaining things in a way that made them feel truly seen, heard, and respected. You could see their trust in her build almost instantly. No matter how intense or overwhelming the shift became, she never let it affect the way she treated them. Every single patient received the same level of care, attention, and kindness.
But what impacted me the most was how she treated me. As a student, I'm still learning and often unsure of myself, yet she never made me feel small. She welcomed my questions, celebrated my small wins, and guided me through my mistakes without ever making me feel like I didn't belong. She didn't just teach me skills; she taught me confidence. She believed in me, and that belief lit a fire I will carry throughout my entire nursing career. I truly can't imagine anyone more deserving of this award. Thank you, Molly!
Sarah Brown, BSN, RN
Unit: 4 Silver, Progressive Care Unit (PCU)
I recently spent 6 nights in the hospital having been diagnosed with heart failure. I'm so grateful to the entire nursing team, who were all so caring, personable, and responsive, at a very scary time in my life. As I nominate Nurse Sarah for the DAISY Award, it's because she stood out in an already high baseline of care.
Sarah is a compassionate spirit with contagious spunk and optimism. She was able to strike just the right balance between nurse, advocate, and listener. On a particularly difficult day, when my body wasn't responding quickly enough to a medication I needed for a test, she helped me relax through it and advocated for me to get the test done in the nick of time before the weekend.
That was a critical puzzle piece for my treatment and release from the hospital. She demonstrated that nursing can involve a whole bevy of talents beyond medical treatment. Even though it was a busy day, she found time to walk laps around the hospital floor with me, and shared her overseas travel experiences in such a beautifully vivid way, that I gained precious hope to visit there someday myself.
Sarah also listened to me worry out loud about life and gave me concrete advice to take with me after leaving the hospital. At a time when I had completely lost trust in my own body and mind, she felt like a safe harbor. She helped instill the confidence I needed to begin building the trust in my body and the medications for the journey of healing ahead. In a hospital full of amazing nurses, she stands out like super woman. Thank you so much, Sarah!
Unit: 4 Silver, Progressive Care Unit (PCU)
From hospitalist James (J.J.) Colquhoun, MD:
David was caring for a patient who had just come out of ICU the day previously – she was sick, even reluctant to come to the hospital in the first place. She suffered from post-traumatic stress and anxiety based upon her past healthcare experiences.
Deanna Toloudis, MSN, RN
Unit: Hospice Care, South Team
I'm nominating my hospice nurse Deanna for the DAISY Award. She is an angel, and truly, she has been a shining star, a guiding light during this time. I can't imagine dealing with cancer without her. She is honest, she is compassionate, she is intuitive, gentle and kind – just a few of her nursing and human skills. I know that she will tell it like it is because I've asked her to.
See, I didn't think I needed hospice and certainly not a hospice nurse. I told Deanna when we met, "Spend time with the patients who need you more, I don't feel like I'm dying," and she replied, "That's okay. Hospice isn't just about physical needs, it's emotional, social, and spiritual comfort too. It's about the whole person." Turns out she was right. I have never been one to talk a lot and yet when Deanna visits, I feel like I can't stop. She really listens both with her heart and her mind and she understands me.
At one point I had excruciating pain, and I threw up the pain medicine that was in the comfort kit. Deanna responded right away and made arrangements for me to go to the Hospice Care Center. To my relief, the pain stopped shortly after I got there.
When I was up every hour during the night unable to pee, Deanna came over right away and skillfully put a catheter in. Then when the catheter was uncomfortable, she fiddled around with it, finding softer tubing and a smaller leg bag, making fine adjustments until everything was just right. She never minded that the dog was always a foot away. She nicknamed him "quality control" and said, "Welcome to Home Health."
For my 92nd birthday, Deanna worked with Joe, the social worker, to get me a "travel pass" so I could visit the farm where I grew up for a birthday party with my family. I felt well prepared with the just-in-case supplies and medicines they packed for me. It was one of the best days ever.
I told Deanna that I am ready to go now and asked why there isn't just a switch you can turn off? And she smiled and replied, "Well maybe there is one last thing you need to learn."
It turns out that I did need a hospice nurse after all, and I couldn't have wished for a better one.
Raynee Frederick, RN
Unit: MedSurg, EvergreenHealth Monroe
Raynee, words cannot express how grateful we were to have you float into our lives like an angel when we needed it most.
Your bedside manner is the gold standard of what nursing should be, timeless, compassionate, and deeply human. You were so incredibly kind to my husband, and that kindness meant more than I can say. My husband is a gentle, kind man. Yes, he can be a little shy, and after his accident, we were both scared, no, terrified, really of what came next. But then you walked in, and everything changed.
You didn't just take care of his pain; you took care of us. You made sure he was safe. That he wasn't suffering. That I was okay. In all my years working in healthcare, I've never met a nurse as extraordinary as you.
My husband would call me every night to tell me what you had done for him. How safe he felt. How he could finally rest when you were on shift. He said you were beyond kind, so present, so genuinely caring and from my heart, I want to say: thank you.
The staff here has been absolutely incredible, and I will make sure that the right people know that. But you, Raynee... you're something rare. You turned a traumatic, life-altering experience into something survivable. Something bearable. You made getting through it possible. Please know this isn't just another thank-you note. This is a letter of deep gratitude for the lifeline you gave us when we were drowning. We will never forget you. It warms my heart to know that your patients, day after day, are being cared for by someone like you. The world is better because you're in it. With all our love and thanks.
