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Learn how a UVA Health Children's nurse goes out of her way to make sure patients and their families — and team members — feel seen and heard.

A group of "really impressed coworkers" anonymously nominated a UVA Health Children's Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) nurse for a DAISY Award. And Associate Chief Nursing Officer Karin Skeen, PhD, RN, NEA-BC — along with Jenny Ernest, Nursing Governance Coordinator, Nursing Professional Governance Office — surprised Devon Allen, BSN, RN, CCRN, with the honor!

See the trio of heartfelt nominations from three team members:

'Safe Space'

"If you were to look up the words ‘extraordinary’ and ‘compassionate’ in the dictionary, surely Devon would be listed under both as examples of how to use the words. In the last four years that I've worked with Devon, she's single handedly changed the culture of our unit and the standard of care we aim to provide our patients. From supporting patients and families through every moment of their journey — to holding resiliency events for the unit — Devon truly does it all!

"Despite our best efforts, expert care, and never ending hope, we don’t always get the outcomes we hope for. Devon has been involved in end-of-life transitions. She’s painted memory boxes with obscure favorite characters, gone out of her way to make sure a patient could get her nails painted one last time, organized a sunset balloon release, and helped create countless, everlasting memories for families to hold close during the grieving process.

"Devon partnered with the Child Life team to execute the revamped holiday shopping process. She organized wrapping stations, provided insight on gifts for last minute holiday admissions, and even contributed her own donations to ensure our patients had the best holiday possible.

"Devon also is a fierce advocate for her patients and their families. She works with our LIP [licensed independent practitioner] team to ensure patients are comfortable and encourages others to think outside of the box. She is compassionate and truthful with families and doesn't shy away from hard conversations. 'We do things the Devon way in here!' is a direct quote from a family whose child Devon took care of for many months. 'The Devon Way' is thorough, organized, and thoughtful. From cleaning and organizing rooms multiple times a shift — to upholding preferred patient/family schedules — these things don't go unnoticed by anyone. She does all of this while managing the care of the sickest patients.

"Devon applies the same principles to how she supports her coworkers. Devon is the head of the PICU [Pediatric Intensive Care Unit] Resiliency Committee, a part of our unit shared governance. She plans monthly activities to help foster relationships outside hospital walls among everyone on our unit, from respiratory therapists to nurses, the entire LIP team and patient care technicians — everyone is welcome and encouraged to join.

"These events might not sound like anything groundbreaking on the surface, but they are legendary. She’s planned game nights, field day, backyard movie nights, kickball team, holiday celebrations, and bingo outings. Devon’s biggest event of the year is Halloween. She makes and executes plans that turn the entire unit into a themed masterpiece. Devon spends countless hours assembling what we lovingly call the Halloween Task Force — hand-making decorations and finding ways to make the holiday extra special — not only for the sickest kids and their families, but also the team members who take care of them.

"Devon also finds ways to boost morale and make everyone on the unit feel seen and important. She is the first to suggest a group, post-shift meal after even the hardest days, use a free moment during her shift to grab everyone coffee, or organize a meetup on everyone’s next day off. She is consistently the first person to offer help in any situation. She serves as a resource nurse on our unit as an approachable, patient, and trusted resource for all. Devon also serves as a member of the orientation committee: another role she uses to empower and educate her coworkers not only on hospital and PICU topics but also how to navigate hard days, importance of self-care, and insights she’s learned over her last five years here. She truly is a safe space for new and experienced team members alike.

'Truly Beyond Measure'

"When I think of extraordinary, compassionate care — there's no one else that embodies that more than Devon! Whether it’s going above and beyond with patient care or supporting parents as they grieve and face their darkest days, she puts her all into not only her patients — but also, every single person in our unit feels her continuous support.

"The way Devon handles transition of care is honorable. Countless times, she's made sure to individualize the memories parents have of the hospital by learning the child’s favorite color, show, toys, etc. during their stay. Devon helped assist a family who withdrew care on their baby to do a balloon release outside at sunset, along with an abundant amount of memory-making items that represented their baby so perfectly. This meant the world to these parents. This is just one single example of Devon's compassionate care — truly beyond measure."

'Inclusion, Resiliency, and Workplace Joy'

"I want to give a special shout out to Devon who has poured blood, sweat, and tears into making the culture of PICU nursing as enjoyable and welcoming as possible. I’ve never met someone with such passion for inclusion, resiliency, and workplace joy. Don’t take her for granted — she’s worth her weight in gold.”

'Devon does all of this not for the recognition, but just because she truly cares so much. She’s not one to talk about all the things she does for those around her, so this is our small gesture to thank her for truly making all of our lives and the lives of our patients so much better.'"

Know a Fabulous Nurse?

"DAISY" stands for "Diseases Attacking the Immune System." The DAISY Award was established by The DAISY Foundation in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at the age of only 33 of an autoimmune disease. The Barnes Family was awestruck by the clinical skills, caring, and compassion of his nurses — so they created this national award to thank nurses everywhere.

The Nursing Professional Governance Organization (NPGO) DAISY Award Committee honors up to two UVA Health University Medical Center nurses each month with the DAISY Award.

At UVA Health University Medical Center — patients or their families, visitors, and team members may submit a DAISY Award nomination.