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"Her actions exemplified compassionate leadership and the highest standards of professional nursing practice."

Congratulations to UVA Health Haymarket Medical Center's newest DAISY Awardee, Autumn Kelley, RN, BSN, CEN! An anonymous team member nominated the Emergency Department nurse for her empathy toward a family facing hardship and her compassion toward the care team she leads. 

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

Blending Kindness and Leadership

Explaining the lengths that Kelley went to in providing care for a vulnerable family, her nominator explains, “The family arrived with two young children who had not eaten and were suddenly facing overwhelming uncertainty. Recognizing the emotional toll on the family, Autumn ensured the children had a safe, calm space at the charge desk — where she provided snacks from her own locker, meals from the cafeteria at her own expense, and age-appropriate comfort items including toys, coloring books, and crayons.”

 “This occurred during a high-acuity weekend shift, and Autumn provided exceptional leadership and compassion while serving as charge nurse in the Emergency Department. While bedside nurses managed direct patient communication, Autumn ensured the broader logistical and emotional needs of the family and staff were met.”

Supporting the Care Team

Kelley’s nominator continues, “In addition to coordinating care behind the scenes and supporting departmental operations during a complex interfacility transfer, Autumn served as consistent support for the care team throughout the shift. She recognized the emotional strain placed on the bedside nurses caring for both patients, and intentionally debriefed individually with nurses and team members after the events — providing space for reflection, validation, and support.”

“Through her calm presence, anticipatory leadership, and attention to both family and team needs, Autumn allowed bedside nurses to remain fully present with their patients while ensuring the emotional wellbeing of the care team was acknowledged and supported. Her actions exemplified compassionate leadership and the highest standards of professional nursing practice.”

In Her Own Words

Kelley, who has been a nurse for 20 years+ and has spent more than three of those years with UVA Health, has goals of earning her MSN and advancing on the clinical ladder. She says winning the DAISY Award “makes the hard days better.” 

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.

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.