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"She doesn’t just keep the OR running, she keeps it thriving."

UVA Health is excited to name Ashley Brushwood, RN, Surgical Services, as a Culpeper Medical Center DAISY Awardee. Her nominator, Kim Shuler, BSN, RN, Nurse Manager, Surgical Services, praises Brushwood as "truly the heart of the Operating Room [OR] and an extraordinary example of what compassionate, skilled, nursing leadership should be.” 

Shuler continues to stress Brushwood’s impact: “Whether she is supporting a colleague through a difficult day or ensuring each patient is treated with dignity and respect, Ashley embodies the mission and values of UVA Health.”

She adds that UVA Health is "incredibly fortunate" to have such a dedicated, talented and compassionate nurse leading in the OR. "Ashley exemplifies everything that the DAISY Award stands for: extraordinary clinical skill, genuine kindness, and unwavering commitment to excellence in patient care. She doesn’t just keep the OR running, she keeps it thriving.”

Compassion Beyond the OR

Shular’s praise for Brushwood extends from her clinical work and patient care to her thoughtful and collaborative team leadership:

“Every day she goes above and beyond for her patients, colleagues, and community — managing three ORs, a procedure room, and C-sections with precision, grace, and calm. Her deep knowledge, critical thinking, and steady presence ensure every patient receives the safest, most positive, surgical experience possible, even during the most challenging times for staffing and resources. 

“Ashley’s ability to seamlessly coordinate with surgeons, anesthesia, and the perioperative team reflects her exceptional leadership and communication skills. She also works closely with vendors, especially during complex spine cases, to ensure surgeons have exactly what they need before a procedure begins. If an issue arises, Ashley is quick to escalate and resolve it so it never impacts the patient. Her foresight and attention to detail exemplify her deep commitment to safety and excellence in care. 

“In addition to her clinical leadership, Ashley takes on the critical task of building staff schedules. She works tirelessly to ensure the unit is fully covered while still promoting work-life balance for her team. Her fairness and understanding of her staff’s personal needs foster trust, loyalty, and morale — helping to retain experienced team members and recruit new ones. Ashley’s compassion extends far beyond the OR."

In Her Own Words

Brushwood has been with UVA Health for 23 years, working as a nurse for 11 of those years. “The DAISY Award means a lot to me because I believe great patient care starts with supporting your team. When the team feels supported, we work better together and can provide the safest and best care possible for our patients.” She adds that in the future she would like to obtain her BSN and Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) certification.

Know a Fabulous Nurse?

The UVA Community Health Nursing Professional Governance Organization (NPGO) honors UVA Health Culpeper Medical Center nurses each quarter with a DAISY Award.

"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.

Patients or their family members; visitors; and team members can submit a nomination for a UVA Health Culpeper, Haymarket, or Prince William Medical Center, or Medical Group, nurse.