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“She recognized that this patient ... was first and foremost a person deserving of dignity and respect."

The Nursing Professional Governance Organization honors up to two UVA Health nurses each month with a DAISY Award. Associate Chief Nursing Officer Veronica Brill, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, surprised Sarah Strauss, RN, Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), with the presentation of her second DAISY Award.

Jessica Harlow, RN, nominated Sarah:

"Sarah's unwavering dedication and exceptional compassion, particularly in one remarkable instance, make her an exemplary candidate for this honor. A patient was recently admitted to our recovery room, facing a difficult and unusual predicament. This patient had been bitten by a raccoon five days prior, which left him with severe injuries — rendering one of his hands temporarily incapacitated because of an infection that was a result of the bite. Beyond the physical pain, the patient had been struggling with his self-esteem and sense of dignity, as he was unable to perform even the most basic personal tasks, such as shaving. This is the first thing he mentioned as he emerged from anesthesia.

"In this moment of vulnerability, Sarah stepped in as a true beacon of hope and humanity. She recognized that this patient, despite his injuries and potential diagnosis of rabies, was first and foremost a person deserving of dignity and respect. Without hesitation, Sarah insisted on taking it upon herself to help him regain a semblance of normalcy in his daily routine and shaved the patient in the recovery room. Anyone who knows anything about a recovery room knows this is not something we typically do.

"What makes this even more above and beyond is that this wasn't even Sarah's patient!  Sarah's actions were not only compassionate but deeply impactful. She not only shaved the patient's beard but also, through her caring and attentive demeanor, managed to bring a sense of joy and empowerment back into the patient's life. It was evident in the patient's eyes and the gratitude in his voice that he felt heard and valued. The simple act of shaving, performed with such kindness, turned into a profound moment of healing and connection for the patient.

"What makes Sarah's actions all the more remarkable is that this is not an isolated incident. Throughout her time here in PACU, Sarah consistently has gone above and beyond for every patient under her care. Her dedication to providing exceptional care, ability to empathize with patients, and commitment to preserving their dignity is evident in every interaction Sarah has with her patients.

"In addition to her exceptional clinical skills — her kindness, empathy, and willingness to go the extra mile exemplify the very essence of nursing. Her actions inspire not only her colleagues — but all of us within PACU!"

Read more on Connect about Sarah's first DAISY Award in 2020.

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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 — patients or their families, visitors, and team members may submit a DAISY Award nomination.