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"The care Julie Tartabini gave me during the most devastating moment of my life went far beyond what I ever expected!" 

A UVA Health University Medical Center nurse treated a family's tragedy with dignity and love — providing extraordinary care during their "most vulnerable moments." And for her compassionate response, Julia Tartabini, BSN, RN, NRP, has earned a DAISY Award.

Robin Longo, MSN, RN, C-EFM, Nursing Director, UVA Health Children's and Inpatient Women's Services, and DAISY Award Committee Chair Caitlin Lowman, BSN, RN, CCRN, presented the award to Tartabini, who was nominated by the patient and family:

'Compassion, Patience, Humanity'

"The care Julia Tartabini gave me during the most devastating moment of my life went far beyond what I ever expected from a healthcare professional. I was admitted to the hospital while pregnant with twins. Everything happened suddenly and unexpectedly. My water broke early ... and within a very short time, my pregnancy turned into a loss. Throughout the entire heartbreaking experience, this nurse never left my side. She treated me with a level of compassion, patience, and humanity that I will never forget. She did not treat my children like a medical case. She treated them like the babies they were, and treated me like a mother who was losing her children.

"She spoke gently, explained things when I needed them explained, and simply stayed with me when words weren’t enough. After my twins were born, she handled them with so much tenderness and respect. She helped create memories for my family by making footprints and arranging photos. She even dressed my twins in clothing colors that ended up being my fiancé’s and my favorite colors — something she didn’t even know — but meant so much to us.

"In the middle of the worst moment of my life, she helped make sure my twins were treated with dignity and love. Her presence helped me survive a moment that no parent is ever prepared for.

Extraordinary Care During Most Vulnerable Moments

"Healthcare workers see people on their best days and their worst days. For my family, this was our worst day. But because of this nurse — my twins were treated with kindness, respect, and compassion, and I was given the support I needed in a moment of unimaginable grief. The medical care was important, but the humanity Julia showed mattered just as much. I will carry the memory of her compassion with me for the rest of my life.

"She truly embodies what it means to be a nurse, and she deserves to be recognized for the extraordinary care she provides to patients and families during their most vulnerable moments."

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