Post by UVA Health

UVA Health's The DAISY Foundation Award is a nursing-specific award created to honor extraordinary care. 🌼 Meet our June honorees: Breanna McDonald, Autumn Kelley, Julia Tartabini, and Susmita KC. Breanna was nominated by two of her University Medical Center coworkers for her compassion toward patients: once when she advocated for a patient during the rescheduling of a major surgery and again when she and another team member came upon family members who were grieving a patient's passing. Autumn helped coordinate care for a family at Haymarket Medical Center who were suddenly facing overwhelming uncertainty during a medical crisis – she provided snacks from her own locker, meals from the cafeteria for the children at her own expense, and age-appropriate comfort items including toys, coloring books, and crayons. Julia was nominated by a UMC patient and their family after a twin pregnancy quickly became a heartbreaking loss. "She did not treat my children like a medical case. She treated them like the babies they were, and treated me like a mother who was losing her children," the patient said in Julia's nomination. "The medical care was important, but the humanity Julia showed mattered just as much. I will carry the memory of her compassion with me for the rest of my life." Susmita KC of Prince William Medical Center is a two-time DAISY Award recipient! While her first award recognized her team leadership and commitment to compassionate patient care, this nomination celebrates mentorship. A fellow nurse noted that "Susmita has been so much more than a teacher. She has been my mentor, role model, safe place, and constant source of encouragement during one of the most challenging times in my life!" We're incredibly proud to honor team members like Breanna, Autumn, Julia, and Susmita who go above and beyond in their commitment to serving our patient community.