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7.21.2025

UVA Health Haymarket Medical Center Nurse Offers Thoughtfulness and Sensitivity Through Unique Grieving Process

Jamie Stern's actions "went beyond her duties — showing the true heart of nursing, compassion, understanding, and a willingness to be there in the most challenging time."

Jamie Stern, CN, BSN, CCRN, Nursing Supervisor, UVA Health Haymarket Medical Center, has been honored by the UVA Community Health Nursing Professional Governance Organization (NPGO) as a DAISY Award winner.

Recipients are chosen for their exemplary displays of compassion and care, both of which were specifically noted by M. Kate Edwards, BSN, RN, CPAN, Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), in her nomination of Stern — highlighting “the extraordinary care and compassion she showed to a young family during one of the most difficult moments of their lives.”

‘A Deep Sense of Empathy’

It is well known that nursing requires patience, strength, and understanding. Perhaps less recognized, though, is the importance of adapting to unusual situations without losing empathy and respect. Stern’s actions showcase how hard she works to ensure that she maintains such qualities — even amidst hardships. 

When a patient came to Haymarket Medical Center’s PACU after experiencing an early miscarriage, she had a unique request to allow her and her loved ones to grieve their loss as a family.  

“Jamie immediately understood the emotional plight of the situation. Despite the medical challenges at hand, she demonstrated a deep sense of empathy — not only for the patient, but for the patient's request,” writes Edwards.

‘The True Heart of Nursing’

This request involved extensive research and difficult conversations among supervisors and the patient and her family, but Jamie was able to provide them with the thoughtful and compassionate care, and the emotional support they needed through their unique grieving process. Jamie then went to the medical center gift shop and bought and arranged items to extend comfort and condolences.

“Her actions went beyond her duties — showing the true heart of nursing, compassion, understanding, and a willingness to be there in the most challenging time. For these reasons and more, I strongly believe that Jamie deserves to be recognized with the DAISY Award for her outstanding, compassionate, caring, and professional manner — and her contributions to our Nursing Department at Haymarket Medical Center,” adds Edwards.

In Her Own Words: 'It’s Not What We Do, It’s Who We Are.'

Jamie has been a nurse for 24 years, including 19 years serving this community, and, as she says, “wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Receiving the DAISY Award is a true honor and signifies the excellence we strive for as nurses every day. I am incredibly grateful for this recognition. All nurses do extraordinary things — it’s not what we do, it’s who we are. To be acknowledged in this way is both humbling and deeply meaningful.”

“I am currently a Nursing Supervisor at Haymarket hospital and love my job. I’m passionate about leading with compassion, supporting the team, and ensuring the highest quality of care for patients. My career goals include: continuing to grow as a nurse leader, expanding my knowledge, and consistently delivering excellent, patient-centered care.”

Read more about the heroism that earned Stern and a colleague a previous DAISY Award.

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 nurse.

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