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"There are moments in nursing that extend far beyond clinical expertise — moments during which compassion, empathy, and humanity leave a lasting imprint."

A UVA Health Cancer Care Augusta nurse is being recognized for going out of her way to keep the emotional needs of a patient in mind during medical appointments.

Blake Herring, MSN, RN, OCN, NE-BC, Associate Chief, Cancer Service Line, and Jenny Ernest, Nursing Governance Coordinator, Nursing Professional Governance Office, surprised Allison Goldschmidt, BSN, RN, ANCC, with a BEE (Being Excellent Everyday) Award.

Michaela Floyd, MSN, RN, Ambulatory Clinic Nurse Manager, nominated the Clinical Care Coordinator at UVA Health Cancer Care Augusta, in Fishersville, Virginia:

"There are moments in nursing that extend far beyond clinical expertise — moments during which compassion, empathy, and humanity leave a lasting imprint on a patient and their family. This is one of those moments, and it's why I am honored to nominate this extraordinary nurse for a DAISY Award.

"As a remote triage nurse, Allison had developed a strong, trusting relationship with a patient who had recently experienced the devastating loss of her baby in gestation. The patient still required evaluation by our hematology team to ensure she was medically stable, but he emotional burden of returning to a healthcare setting was overwhelming.

"Understanding the patient's grief, Allison looked beyond the medical appointment and focused on the patient's emotional wellbeing. Knowing our Cancer Care is located above a pediatric office, she recognized that walking through the front entrance and passing children or expectant mothers could retraumatize the patient during one of the most difficult times of her life.

"Rather than simply scheduling the appointment, Allison thoughtfully developed a plan with the patient to arrive at the back of the building and use the rear elevator, allowing the patient to avoid these painful triggers entirely. This level of anticipation and advocacy was not expected of her role — it was an extraordinary act of compassion that preserved the patient's dignity during an incredibly vulnerable moment.

"Allison's compassion did not stop there. She also recognized that her own pregnancy could be an unexpected and painful reminder of what her patient had just lost. Throughout the visit, she quietly carried a notebook against her abdomen, intentionally shielding her pregnancy from view so the focus remained entirely on the patient's healing. She never called attention to this act, nor did she seek recognition. It was a selfless, deeply empathetic gesture made solely to protect her patient from additional heartache.

"Despite working remotely, Allison also intentionally arranged for the patient's visit to occur on a day Allison would be in the office because she understood the value of the relationship they had built. She wanted the patient to see a familiar face, someone she trusted, someone who had walked alongside her through one of the darkest chapters of her life. That continuity of care and unwavering support exemplifies relationship-based nursing at its very best.

"Allison went far above and beyond her standard job responsibilities to ensure her patient's comfort, emotional safety, and wellbeing. She demonstrated extraordinary kindness and compassion, created a meaningful and lasting positive impact on the patient's experience, and exemplified professionalism, empathy, and clinical excellence. Allison embodies every aspect of our Professional Practice Model as an Empowered Leader, Expert Caregiver, Lifelong Learner, and advocate for Quality Achievement, while consistently fostering innovation in how we care for patients as whole people — not just diagnoses.

"Her actions profoundly impacted not only the patient and her family but also team members who witnessed her thoughtfulness and compassion. As her manager, I was incredibly moved by the care Allison provided. She reminded all of us that nursing is not only about delivering treatments or coordinating care — it's about seeing the person behind the diagnosis, anticipating needs that are never written in a policy, and meeting patients exactly where they are.

"In a profession filled with extraordinary individuals, this nurse exemplifies what the DAISY Award was created to recognize. Her unwavering compassion, humility, professionalism, and dedication transformed what could have been another painful medical appointment into an experience in which a grieving mother felt seen, protected, understood, and cared for. Allison is, without question, an extraordinary nurse and exceptionally deserving of this recognition!"

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"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.

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