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"Will always hold such a special place in my heart!" 

A UVA Health nurse who works in one unit — is hailing another unit for taking "beyond amazing" care of her mother for months.

On Feb. 17, 2026, UVA Health University Medical Center. Chief Nursing Officer Kathy Baker, PhD, RN, NE-BC, FAAN, and Jenny Ernest, Nursing Governance Coordinator, Nursing Professional Governance Office, surprised the Surgical Trauma Intensive Care Unit (STICU) with the 2025 DAISY Team Award!

The Nursing Professional Governance Organization (NPGO) honors one UVA Health University Medical Center team each year with the DAISY Team Award, established by The DAISY Foundation.

"This recognition is not about an isolated moment; it reflects the compassionate, patient- and family-centered care you provide consistently, every day," says Jessica Alford, RN, MSN, CCRN, Manager of the STICU and the Surgical Intermediate Care Unit (SIMU) — both of which also earned a prestigious Beacon Award for Excellence in 2025. "It speaks directly to our ASPIRE values: Accountability you demonstrate in complex situations, Professionalism and Integrity you bring to difficult conversations, and Respect and Empathy you show to patients, families, and one another —bolstered by Excellence you strive for, even under pressure. This recognition that truly captures who we are and how we show up every day."

'A Special Place in My Heart'

A patient's family member, who's also a UVA Health University Medical Center nurse — Courtney Gillespie, BSN, RN, Perianesthesia Main — nominated the STICU, taking the time and care to cite specific examples for more than a dozen team members:

"UVA Health University Medical Center STICU will always hold such a special place in my heart! The entire team — from nurses, techs, doctors, nurse practitioners, and everybody else in between — has been beyond amazing! My mom had a transplant, then eight days in STICU before being downgraded to 5 South and eventually leaving for a brief weekend getaway to UVA Health Encompass Rehabilitation before returning for what would become a 113-day stay in STICU.

"Her first, eight-day stay in STICU was equally as great; however, it was during the following 113 days we all really got to know each other and everybody really got to know my mom! I will never be able to remember every minor detail and every single person we came into contact with, but I will do my best to show just how amazing this entire team was to my mom and to my family.

'The Ice Cream Lady'

"To Brooke Lobuts, BSN, RN, CCRN, Charge Nurse, Inpatient: You joked with my mom and let her talk about her ice cream party she was planning. You went above and beyond to call me to let me know you were moving her to 5 South and checking in on her, which you did a few days later and that brought her such joy! On days that she was somewhat clearheaded, you came by and chatted with her. And on days that were beyond hard, you still came by and checked on me. If I ever see you around which I’m sure I will, you will always be the ice cream lady!"

'Bright and Bubbly'

"To Sabrina Staten, BSN, RN, CCRN: The days you had her, you brought such positive energy and helped Mom through music therapy. Your dancing and singing helped put a smile on her face that hadn’t been there for days. She had such funny jokes with you! She looked forward to your '80s dance parties and even tried to dance along from her bed or chair! You are an amazing, bright, and bubbly person and I’m so glad we got to experience you as her nurse. I am especially thankful you had her on the day we transitioned to comfort care. You made sure she was as comfortable as she could be. You talked us through the process and even pulled as many tubes and wires off to let us see our mom. I think she waited for you to leave for the day — as she passed not even 10 minutes after you came in to say goodbye. Thank you for your care. I know she loved having you — as did I!"

Communication, Kindness, Laughter, Patience, Respect, and More

"To Kori Favreau, BSN, RN, CCRN: I don’t think you ever had my mom as a direct patient, but you were in charge a lot. You continued to check on us throughout both stays and you were always a listening ear when I was an emotional wreck. Thank you for your kindness!

"To Heidi 'Night Shift' Dawley, MSN, RN, CNL: You were amazing! You talked me through her day and how everything went and what to expect next. Thank you!

"To Marcus Delung, BSN, RN, ACNP: You were one of the first people on her team I met on her second admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). You went above and beyond to relay information to me and explain what was going on with her. Through that first week, we had lots of conversations about her care and what to expect. I’m beyond thankful for that. Even on the weeks you didn’t have her, you still asked how I was doing and if you could do anything. Thank you for all your help!

"To Brandon Hoy, BSN, RN, TCRN, CCRN: You were her night nurse quite a few times and did so great with her! She told us you were coming back so she couldn’t keep it too hot in the room because you liked it cold. She definitely went back and forth between wanting it hot or cold, but she knew when you were there she wanted it to be cool. She loved having you as a nurse!

"To Isaiah Norton, BSN, RN, CCRN: You were great! You listened to me when I told you she was getting worse after two or three days was more confused and delirious than she had been. I know she was very testy, but I appreciate you being so patient and kind with her.

"To Adam Seegert, BSN, RN, CCRN: You were always so good about giving me information about how she was and what was going on throughout the day. You had her many, many times. However, I think most of the days you had her, she was pretty out of it and it was just me and you talking across her bed or laughing about wearing the same outfit to work. I appreciate you greatly for all your help throughout this time!

"To Jackie Turner, CCHT, Patient Care Technician: My mom loved having you as her tech! She would talk so highly of you and how you had been there with her through it all. Even on the days she was intubated, you spoke to her with such respect and kindness. I will always be so appreciative."

Advocate

"To Chelsey Mclaughlin, BSN, RN, PCCN: Oh my gosh, you went through it with her! The three nights you had her on night shift, from day one, it started so rocky. She was not a happy person and cussed you and yelled at you so much. But you helped joke with her and you were just so patient and listened to her and helped her through a rough time. By day three, she was less responsive and getting worse, and you helped advocate for intubation that night."

"You made sure it was on the board to call me and ... I was called about all things. You helped explain things that were happening and made sure I was OK. The next week or so you came back to take care of her on day shift, and she was once again not a happy person. You continued to show so much kindness and had such patience with her, Even on days you didn’t have her, you came by and checked on me and her. Your care and kindness means so much to me. Thank you for all that you did for her and us!"

Familiar Face

"To Rafael Diaz, BSN, RN: I can’t even count how many days you had my mom as a patient. It was many, I do know that. She put you through it for sure. From pulling out all her IVs, to wanting to leave AMA, to just yelling and needing to be 1:1 monitored to make sure she didn’t pull anything out because she was so quick to remove those mitts. Sometimes, I’m not even sure how she managed to get them off. You were sooooo patient and so kind to her."

"You talked to her so nicely and explained the things you were doing, even though most days she didn’t care, she just wanted you to leave her alone. You called me to give me updates throughout your days with her and made sure to reach me the day they extubated her because I was working, just so I would know. I’m so sorry that you had her on such hard days. But I’m so thankful that she was able to see a familiar face and that you took such great care of her!"

Meticulous Care

"To Lliam Brannigan, MD: You started this journey with my mom as being the anesthesia attending who took care of her through her transplant surgery. You were then one of the doctors on her team in the ICU for several weeks on and off. She loved you so greatly. She would tell me all the time she wished you were a primary doctor because she would go to you for everything. She would say things like 'Dr. B said I need to get up to the chair so that’s what I need to do!' or 'Dr. B wants me to do this, so I need to!'

"My personal favorite was when she was becoming increasingly confused and agitated. Her words were: 'Don’t you think about sending Dr. B in here to convince me to stay — because you know I’ll listen to him!'

"You were so meticulous in your care for her and always fought to ensure even the smallest of things mattered in her care. You always asked how I was doing, and if I needed anything. I will always be so thankful for your care of her!"

Gentle and Kind

"To Rhys Hansen, EMT, PCT, and Katterine Umana-Roman, PCT: You both were great and took such great care of her! Whether it was helping to clean her up or turn her — you talked her through it, and you both were always so gentle and kind. Thank you!"

'Probably the Best Team at UVA Health!'

"I know I’ve left many people out and I am so beyond sorry for that. After many days in the hospital, it’s hard to remember everybody and everything that happened. What I do know is the entire STICU team is probably the best team at UVA Health, and if I sat here and named every kind and positive thing someone did, we would be here all day. Your dedication to care and support patients and their families went above and beyond my expectations. Thank you all for all your kindness throughout this journey. I will never be able to thank you all enough or repay you for all that you have done!"

'Grace and Kindness'

"Unfortunately, Mom passed away after her long fight. We had the biggest ice cream party (one that she would have loved!). I thank you all for your care, kindness, and love through this long stay in the STICU. You were all equally amazing! As a nurse myself, I can only hope to give as much grace and kindness as you all did to me and my family during this time. Thank you, all!"

'Meeting Those Moments'

Alford tells her team: "Being in my role gives me the privilege of seeing and hearing about so many of the moments that don’t always make it into metrics or reports: the small, thoughtful actions that matter deeply to patients and families during some of the hardest moments of their lives. We work in an incredibly challenging environment.

"Acuity is high, emotions run strong, and outcomes are not always what we hope for. We witness some of the most devastating experiences patients and families can endure — intentionally and unintentionally. Yet, time and again, you rise to meet those moments with teamwork, resilience, and humanity. You should be proud of the care you provide and the unit you represent. I hope that when you say you work in the STICU at UVA Health, you feel the same pride I feel being part of this team."

Know a Fabulous Nurse?

NPGO also honors up to two UVA Health University Medical Center nurses each month with a DAISY Award. Patients or their families, visitors, and team members may submit a DAISY Award nomination. 

"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.