Meaningful Recognition

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• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Award
• UWMC Recognized with Bell Seal Award for Mental Health
• Roger K. Giesecke Awards for Nursing Excellence
• ROSE Awards
• DAISY Awards
• Cares Awards
• In memoriam – Wayne Lucey

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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Award

Amber Pattison, RN, MSN, C-EFM and Ying Zang, MD, MPH received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Award, for their work with perinatal substance use disorder.

Excerpt from the selection committee: This year’s theme, Rising up to the Challenge: Uniting for Freedom, Justice and Democracy perfectly reflects the powerful contributions you’ve made to our community. The work that your committee did in cultivating culture change, enhancing knowledge and clinical care for mothers with substance use disorder, and earning the recognition of becoming a Center of Excellence for Perinatal Substance Use. Your work uses a trauma-informed approach, aims to keep families supported and together during their hospital stay, and has revolutionized the care that patients and families receive in the setting of childbirth and substance use. We were deeply moved by not only receiving one, but two separate nominations for this work, and are thrilled to honor your commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion and positive change.

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UWMC Recognized with Bell Seal Award for Mental Health

In 2025, UWMC’s Well-being & Support Program, CARE4U continued its evolution working toward moving well-being from a perceived “extra” to a trusted and essential part of how we care for one another across our hospital community. One of our proudest milestones was achieving Mental Health America (MHA) certifications highest honor, the Platinum Bell Seal for Excellence in workplace mental health. This is an important affirmation of UWMC’s commitment to creating a psychologically safe, supportive workplace. This recognition reflects the collective effort of all of our staff, faculty, and leaders to reduce stigma, increase access, and center well-being as a shared responsibility.

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Roger Giesecke K. Awards for Nursing Excellence

The Roger K. Giesecke Awards for Nursing Excellence are given to the Nurse of the Year and Nurse Leader of the Year.

The Roger K. Giesecke Endowment for Hospital Caregivers in Critical and Acute Care was established in 2008 by Mary Piggott as a tribute to her late husband. The endowment provides awards for UW Medical Center and Harborview Medical Center caregivers. Awards help advance the quality of care for critical and acute care patients by providing resources for the education and training of nurses and caregivers and fund projects that will benefit nurses and their patients.

Nancy Harsch, BSN, RN
Nurse of the Year, Montlake Campus

Nancy Harsch has been working in the UW system for over 25 years. She is a phenomenal bedside nurse as well as extraordinary charge RN. There are not many words to explain what it is like to work at the bedside for that long and Nancy does it with great pride and professionalism. She is always going above and beyond for her patients and her families. When in charge, she leads the unit by example and is always the hardest working nurse on the floor. It is a stressful environment and she faces challenges with grace. She takes pride in her care for patient and their families. Everyday she walks in those doors she is ready to work. She accepts new change and new employees daily and adapts quickly. Nancy is a friend to everyone including her patients and their families. Not many could do what she has accomplished over her career and I am honored to be able to work by her side.

Andrew Bostrom, BSN, RN
Nurse of the Year, Northwest Campus

Andrew is a truly inspirational leader. His dedication to his team is unwavering. Andrew shows up every day and builds up everyone around him. He is a leader that inspires others to improve themselves, to raise the standard we set for ourselves. Andrew is knowledgeable, skilled, and the best resource available, yet he is always seeking to learn, grow, and understand. Andrew is the leader that all staff deserve to work for, and the coworker all staff deserve to work with. He inspired me to apply for the RN3 position I am now in, so that I can try to replicate the effect he has on our team.

Valerie Gillis, MN, RN, CPAN
Nurse Leader of the Year, Montlake Campus

I am privileged to nominate Valerie for the Giesecke Award– Nurse Leader of the Year. Having had the honor of working alongside her for many years, I can say without hesitation that Valerie embodies the very qualities this award seeks to recognize authenticity, trust, inclusion, and transparency. As a nurse leader, Valerie is approachable, inspiring, and deeply committed to fostering an environment where both staff and patients feel heard, valued, and supported.

Valerie’s leadership is grounded in her ability to form meaningful, authentic relationships across all levels of the organization. While her focus is on pain management, her expertise and influence are felt far beyond this area. Her work spans multiple quality improvement initiatives, including delirium prevention, mobility, fall precautions, and many others. Through her dedication to these areas, Valerie ensures that we are continually improving the care we provide to our patients. She leads by example, always holding herself to the highest standards of care and consistently encouraging others to do the same.

One of Valerie’s most remarkable strengths is her ability to connect with new nurses. During her rounds, she takes the time to engage with new staff, offering thoughtful, constructive feedback in a way that fosters trust and promotes professional growth. Her guidance and mentorship have helped countless nurses develop their skills and confidence, ensuring they are well-equipped to provide exceptional care. Valerie also plays a key role in staff education, delivering engaging presentations. Her ability to communicate complex concepts with clarity and enthusiasm makes her a sought-after resource for both nursing staff and providers.

Valerie is a steadfast advocate for evidence-based practice (EBP) and has been a driving force behind numerous EBP projects at UWMC. Her support for these initiatives extends beyond just providing guidance; she actively works to remove barriers and create an environment where EBP can thrive. Whether collaborating with staff on research projects, leading efforts to implement best practices, or supporting the development of new clinical guidelines, Valerie is always at the forefront of advancing the quality of care at UWMC. Her involvement with UPCs and LPCs further demonstrates her commitment to ensuring that nursing practice is grounded in the best available evidence.

In addition to her clinical expertise, Valerie is a master at building strong relationships with providers across the medical center. She recognizes the value of interdisciplinary collaboration and works tirelessly to bridge gaps between nursing and other disciplines. Her efforts have helped to foster a culture of teamwork and mutual respect, where all voices are valued, and patient care is improved through collective effort.

What truly sets Valerie apart is her unwavering kindness and dedication to supporting those around her. She consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that nursing staff feel supported and equipped to provide the best care possible. Whether it’s providing guidance on a challenging case or offering a listening ear during difficult times, Valerie’s presence is a constant source of strength for both staff and patients.

Valerie’s leadership and commitment to nursing excellence make her a truly deserving candidate for the Giesecke Award. She is a nurse leader who not only demonstrates authenticity and transparency but also inspires those around her to continually strive for excellence in all aspects of their work. It is with great pride and admiration that I nominate Valerie for this prestigious recognition.

Kelsey Johnson, MSN, RN
Nurse Leader of the Year, Northwest Campus

Kelsey led her team through an incredibly challenging move as her entire department relocated from the E-wing into the brand-new Center for Behavioral Health and Learning. The team went on to face many challenges that required strong leadership to guide them through. From working on the small details to tackling bigger problems such as a significant increase of patient falls in the new space, Kelsey led her team and her patients through the complexities that came with working in a very new and very different space. Kelsey also built the behavioral health float pool from scratch, which was desperately needed but required recruiting staff who have experience in both psych and med/surg nursing. This was not standard nursing recruitment, and I am sure it took more time and resources than usual. Kelsey is a very pleasant person to work with and is a true professional. She brings authenticity, strong leadership, and a warmth to her team that is truly unique. Kelsey deserves to be awarded Nurse Leader of the Year!

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ROSE Awards

The ROSE Award was established in 2022 by UW Medical Center to honor the incredible work that is performed every day by our dedicated healthcare team. In particular, the leadership team at UWMC were inspired by the extraordinary efforts undertaken by our team throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and wanted a way to recognize those efforts.

The ROSE Award stands for Recognizing Outstanding Service & Excellence. Awardees are nominated by their coworkers and leaders. Nominations are accepted on a rolling basis and the award is given out several times a year. All staff who interact with patients are eligible except nurses, who should be nominated for the DAISY award.

Amanda Stewart | 5th Floor Unit Secretary | Feb 2025

From a patient:

I’ve been here about two weeks and because of my wounds, I have not been able to take a shower or wash my hair. So, as you might know, my hair began to get a little matted. The nurse I had was wonderful. She kept bringing me the little black combs, which I kept breaking the teeth on, that was embarrassing. 

When my nurse was going to lunch, she brought in a real brush. and some hair conditioner. I got a tear in my eye and was trying to tell her thank you. She said no, my friend it is not from me.  It's from Amanda. I asked - who is Amanda? My nurse said she’s at the front desk. I have never met Amanda, and she has never met me, but she still did this wonderful thing for me which she didn’t have to do and wasn’t even asked. It was just from the kindness of her heart. Of course, I cried in my room. Being a recovering addict, you don’t get treated as such. You know, the way Amanda was so nice to me. 

Amanda was also recognized by her team for organizing their downtime forms so they would be ready in case of a downtime event.  Thanks to her initiative, all Amanda’s work paid off for the team during a recent downtime event.  Amanda makes it her goal to try to do at least one thing each shift to remove difficulties for the 5th floor nurses.   

Thank you for all you do for our patients and staff, Amanda!

 

Luis Jimenez | CNA, Unit Secretary, 1E Surgical | November 2025 

Luis is a staff member on 1E Surgical and works as both a CNA and unit secretary. He exemplifies what it means to provide outstanding service and excellence. Luis is always smiling and has a positive attitude no matter what the situation. In the event one of our secretaries calls out, Luis manages both sides of the unit effectively and without complaint. He is incredibly resourceful and has, on several occasions, assisted with IT issues and even technical issues with our beds or call light system. Luis proactively addresses issues and is exceptional at communicating with the leadership team when necessary. He is one of the most reliable team members we have and frequently works extra if the unit has a staffing need. In addition to all these qualities, Luis is warm and friendly and proactively supports our nursing, physician, social work, and therapy teams regardless of what the need is. Staff like Luis have helped build and reinforce a healthy work environment and a culture where staff want to work here. He is much more than a CNA/Unit Secretary. He is a hard-working asset to the team, a role model, a team player, and represents why 1E Surgical is such a wonderful place to work.

 

Modou Sowe | Unit Secretary, 2-B Surgical Specialties | November 2025

Modou has been nominated for the ROSE Award because of the kindness, professionalism, and support he brings to our unit every day. Modou is personable, efficient, and always willing to step in where needed. He answers call lights promptly and ensures they are delegated to the appropriate staff, which helps our team provide safe and timely care.

Recently, as our unit prepared for a Department of Health visit, Modou went above and beyond by assisting management in ensuring everything was compliant and ready. His attention to detail and willingness to help make a huge difference in keeping the unit running smoothly.

What truly sets Modou apart is his ability to connect with patients. Even in stressful situations, he has a calming presence and is able to soothe and reassure even the most agitated patients. His kindness and steady demeanor not only support our staff but also create a safer, more compassionate environment for patients.

 

Jerusa Salas, PCT, Resource Team | December 2025

Jerusa was one of my first mentors here at UW. I have learned a lot from this young lady and I will never forget her kindness. She made a positive first impression that will last a lifetime.

 

Yewul Mogos, PCT, 6NE | November 2025

Yewul consistently goes above and beyond, demonstrating a rare combination of skill, compassion, and dedication. A recent example highlights her exceptional qualities. We have a patient on our floor who is difficult and consistently pressing their call light just to have someone in the room. Yewul came up with an ingenious plan to take the patient on a walk every hour as long as they didn't press their call light unless they actually needed something. She kept to her promises and the patient didn't call for 6 hours which never has happened in the 5 months that she has been on our floor. She guided this plan with so much care and love while also giving the patient words of affirmation throughout the whole day about their great behavior. Beyond specific instances, Yewul cultivates a positive and supportive environment for all patients. Her warm smile, attentive listening, and willingness to help make a noticeable difference in patient experiences.  She consistently receives positive feedback from patients and their families, who often commend Yewul for her care. Yewul's commitment to patient care is truly exceptional and makes her a valuable asset to our team.  She is a role model for nurses/PCTs and a true champion for our patients.

 

Joseph West, PCT, 6SA | February 2025

Joe is an exceptional PCT whose dedication and hard work stand out every day. He gives his all to every patient, family member, and team member, consistently going above and beyond in his role. Joe’s compassion and commitment are evident in everything he does.

He is always on the move, ready to assist with any task, and approaches every situation with a positive and energetic attitude. Joe’s readiness to support his colleagues and respond promptly to calls from nurses makes him an indispensable part of our team. He anticipates needs and takes action before being asked, showing a proactive and reliable approach to his work.

Joe’s exceptional service and genuine care for others make him a true standout in patient care. His hard work and positive demeanor have a significant impact on everyone he interacts with, and he sets a high standard for excellence.

 

Amanda Johnson, Patient Services Specialist, 5SE | March 2025 

Amanda is an exceptional unit service specialist. As the face of the unit, you could not find a friendlier or more empathetic person. She makes genuine connections with patients and visitors despite not having a direct patient facing role. She leads the charge in writing bereavement cards for patients who pass away on our unit which not only provides comfort to families, but to staff as well. Even patients staying on the unit for a day she will go out of her way to learn the names of their visitors and provide a sympathetic ear for them to talk to. She is truly incredible at what she does and we at UW are so lucky to have her on the team.

 

Cathy Lacy, PSS, 4SE | March 2025

Cathy is an extraordinary human being. She always comes to work with a smile on her face. She presents with a "what can I do for you" work ethic. No project or concern is too big for her. She will go out of her way to help. She is many times the first interaction someone has with our unit, whether it's her smiling face when they walk in or her soothing voice when they call. She has the touch to put everyone at ease. Many a time I find her helping someone on the phone because they got transferred to the wrong number. She goes above and beyond to make sure they are directed to the right person. She also helps families and visitors in person do things like locate a Fed Ex drop box to mail an important item or get important paperwork signed by notary. No request is off limits for Cathy. When she has a question, she finds the answer and shares the knowledge with others. Cathy never says no to the many requests that come at her. She holds herself to high level of excellence that is exemplified every day she is here. UWMC and 4SE is beyond blessed to have her on our team!

 

Jorivic Pagalan, PCT, 5NE | March 2025

"Who can I recognize for you?"  Jorivic!  I hear this response over and over again for various reasons but most often because Jorivic exemplifies what team nursing is all about and is an excellent candidate for the ROSE award.  Jorivic anticipates the needs of the patient and the nurse.  He is prompt to answer call lights in his zone and others, alerts nurses to clinical changes that he notices and supports his peers throughout his shift.  I know that when I've delegated a task to Jorivic he will get it done and follow-up with me to close the loop.  He is an excellent role model to new staff, supporting their development so they can understand the important role that PCTs have in caring for all of our patients.”

 

Marina Shpreyregina, Interpreter Services Coordinator | March 2025

I would like to nominate Marina for the ROSE Award for her outstanding dedication and commitment to patient care. Marina went above and beyond to ensure that a patient received the necessary scan after multiple challenges had delayed the process. Originally scheduled elsewhere, the patient faced setbacks and was then rescheduled at our facility, only to encounter an unforeseen delay that resulted in their interpreter needing to leave before the scan could be completed. Marina quickly stepped in, coordinating effectively to address the situation and ensure that the patient’s needs were met. Thanks to her efforts, the patient was able to complete their scan after two weeks of waiting. Marina’s proactive approach and compassion made a significant difference in this patient’s experience, truly embodying the spirit of the Rose Award.

 

Abby Brockman, Chaplain | April 2025

7SE has a patient who is here for an extended duration, he had a complex medical course, then has been boarding awaiting challenging dispo. He has limited supports and became increasingly depressed, very withdrawn, and even possibly passively suicidal. The medical team and psychology had exhausted their abilities to help him. Abby worked very diligently with this patient, decorated his room, took him to the waiting room for a change of scenery, and made an effort to learn the things he enjoys. This patient told me how appreciative he was of the time she spent with him. It was incredible to see his mood turn a corner, he was smiling and participatory in therapy, and I really attribute Abby's dedication to this change.

 

Hector Baylon, MA, ED Nursing Station | May 2025

Hector is a "go-to" person who is always helpful.  We've had a lot of new PSS staff start, and all have mentioned him as one of the most helpful people in the department.  He is a pleasure to work with and we appreciate his positive attitude. Hector is genuine and we would him to know that he is appreciated!!!! 

 

Leslie Estrada, PCT, 5SA | July 2025

In any hospital, there are good CNAs, and then there are those who redefine exceptional care. Leslie is just that—a rare, invaluable asset whose dedication, work ethic, and compassion set her apart. She actively seeks out knowledge, always striving to improve her skills and deepen her understanding of patient care. Instead of waiting to be taught, she asks questions, learns from experience, and applies that knowledge to better serve her patients. Feedback is not just something she accepts—it’s something she welcomes, knowing that growth comes from continuous learning.

Going above and beyond isn’t just a phrase for Leslie; it’s how she operates. She rarely sits down because she is always one step ahead, anticipating needs before they arise. Whether it’s helping reposition a patient before she’s asked, restocking supplies without being told, or noticing and addressing a patient’s discomfort before it becomes a complaint, she embodies true initiative. She doesn’t just complete tasks—she finds ways to make the unit run more smoothly.

Even when faced with difficult situations/mistreatment, she remains professional and focused on what matters. She doesn’t waste time complaining or retaliating; instead, she channels her energy into being a team member that everyone can rely on. She cleans up after others without hesitation, ensuring a clean, organized, and functional workspace for both staff and patients.

Her kindness extends beyond the walls of the hospital. One time, she noticed that a patient’s family member was struggling to meet their needs. Instead of ignoring the situation, she took it upon herself to bring the family member to Walmart to get the supplies they needed. This wasn’t her responsibility—it was simply who she is.

In a field where burnout is common, Leslie remains a light of dedication and selflessness. She's not just a CNA—she elevates the role to something more.

 

Duvia Doak, PCT, OR | August 2025

Nomination 1: I just want to let you know how nice it has been to have Duvia in the pavilion over the last few weeks.  I have let her know we appreciate her, but I also wanted to pass on to you how much of a difference she makes for our ortho group. We have noticed the turnovers are faster and more complete.  Not only does the room get cleaned with nothing missed, but all the extra requests are taken care of.  Pillows are covered, positioning equipment is in the room as requested AND unneeded equipment is taken out AND put away in its rightful place.  For my part, she has saved so much time looking for equipment that isn’t put away where it’s supposed to be.  Simple things like walking through the hallway and seeing things that are out of place and taking the time to put them where they’re supposed to go, makes a huge difference.

She also takes the time to ask questions about the room set-ups so she can later set-up the room the way it needs to be based on the minor differences in procedure.  We can’t always have a separate card with set-up pictures for small differences in procedure.  She takes the time to try and learn what we need without having to be directed.

There are a lot of people here that work hard and do a great job but some, like Duvia, are so exceptional that I need to pass on extra acknowledgement. Please let me know if there is any way I can show further appreciation for all the hard work she does. Thanks.

Nomination 2: Duvia is one of our senior PCTs and has been part of the UW family for a very long time.  She is always willing to help, teach and train new staff.  She is very knowledgeable of all things OR and knows the history of our equipment and how they work inside and out.   Even when she is not feeling well she is present and willing to help.   She is truly an exceptional person, staff member and colleague.   We are lucky to have her on our team.

 

Mary Ann Bagdady, PCT, 4SE | September 2025 

Mary Ann always goes out of her way to help not only her patients, but all patients on 4SE when they are in need. As her coworker, there have been countless times when I am with patients and they bring up her name, expressing gratitude and nothing but positive interactions with Mary Ann. Her infectious positive attitude radiates to both her patients and coworkers, all while going above and beyond every single day. She is skilled and thorough when it comes to patient care. I have worked with Mary Ann for about 2 years now, and I know when I have a shift with her, it will always be a good day.

 

Linda Sim, MA Assistant Supervisor, OB/GYN & Primary Care Clinic | November 2025

Linda has gone through one of the hardest things someone could the last 2 years. She lost her son who she affectionately calls Boo-boo, to cancer. Through this she still always showed up for her team, she shows compassion, understanding, and kindness to coworkers and patients. Linda is one of the strongest people I know and truly cares about patient care. She is constantly going above and beyond for everyone around her. She deserves recognition for all her hard work.

 

 

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DAISY Awards

UW Medical Center has recognized excellence in nursing practice in a variety of ways. One of the most visible ways is the implementation of the DAISY Awards. DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune SYstem, and the awards are supported by the DAISY Foundation. The foundation was formed in November 1999 by the family of Patrick Barnes, who died at age 33 of complications to Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). Patrick Barnes’ family felt compelled to express their profound gratitude to nurses for the work they do for their patients every day.

We are proud, too, that Patrick’s care was here at UW Medical Center. In November 2019, UW Medical Center celebrated 20 years of the DAISY Award and invited his original nurses to take part. Those nurses are Karen Bidwell, Ann Blake, Andi Bowen, Patti Daraskavich, Susan Polizzi Dowling, Debra Goff, Andrea Hanses, Peggy Haug, Tana Irish, Ken Kanfoush, Karen Kuster, Diane Lynn, Lynn Maleta, Vivian Markle, Juanita Merriweather, Susan Pambianco, Terrie Paine, Peggy Stufflebeam, Debra Thomas, Jocelyne Wahl, and Robert Young.

At UW Medical Center, we are inspired by the vision of the Barnes family and are proud of our DAISY award honorees, knowing that they have exhibited excellence and caring in their nursing practice and are joining a world-wide group of esteemed nurses that began right here.

DAISY Awards are presented each quarter on the units and in the clinics where our nurses serve. Their names and photos are proudly displayed in their departments and posted to our website.

Northwest Campus:

Ayan Mohamed, RN, 1E Surgical | October 2025

I have been in the hospital once a month for the last 15 months. I have had multiple nurses and most of them would come in and hurry out but on Sunday night I got Ayan for my nurse, and she wasabsolutely amazing. I have had a lot of pain with the multiple surgeries I have had, and the multiple infections and Ayanwas absolutely on top of my pain and she constantly went out of her way to make sure I had everything I needed. She was also kind and talked to me when most nurses just want to hurry and do their job and go on to the next patient. But Ayan was so sweet, and she really made me feel like a person not just a job. Nurse's like her should be praised and they should know how little acts of kindness mean to people that are sick a lot like me. Please give Ayan the Daisyaward she very much deserves it.
 

Eileen Wang, RN, 2B | November 2025

Eileen is a compassionate, intelligent, and hardworking nurse who is deeply dedicated to her patients and her team. She consistently strives to improve herself as a nurse, and even when her own workload is heavy, she always finds time to support her colleagues. It is no surprise that she frequently receives kudos and thanks from both patients and peers.

One example of Eileen’s exceptional care occurred with a patient who experienced post-operative complications and faced a prolonged hospital stay. This patient was incredibly scared for their future, yet Eileen’s compassion and attentiveness helped them feel truly seen and heard. Eileen was quick to identify when a complication was occurring, ensuring the patient received the prompt and appropriate care they needed. The patient shared their gratitude, emphasizing how much Eileen’s presence and advocacy meant to them during such a frightening time.

Eileen embodies the very best of nursing—clinical excellence paired with genuine empathy. She is a role model for her peers and a source of comfort and safety for her patients. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of the DAISY Award.

 

Erika Collins, RN, STAT | December 2025 

Just wanted to give major kudos to Erika who helped provide compassionate, patient, and trauma-informed care for one of my patients who had severe anxiety, needle phobia, and an active panic attack.  This patient had an IJ triple lumen catheter that required general anesthesia for placement given how severe her phobia was.  She had similar level of phobia and apprehension for the IJ removal.  Erika spent easily upwards of 2 and a half hours coordinating with myself, Saul, and Dr Solan to gently and safely walk this patient through her severe anxiety and panic to safely remove her IJ catheter.  If there is any sort of award or bonus for humanism, trauma-informed health care, and just overall awesomeness, Erika certainly deserves it for this alone but also the other fantastic work she does in keeping our hospital afloat amidst families and patients that often are experiencing the worst of times.  In fact, she had to respond to a rapid response in the middle of this and came back to finish her incredible work with this patient.
 

Immy Mukasa, RN, 2D/3D | December 2025 

We are proud to celebrate Immy on receiving the DAISY Award! With 21 years of dedicated service to our team and UW Medicine, Immy exemplifies the true heart of nursing. Known for her compassion, dedication, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to patient-centered care, Immy consistently goes above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of her patients and team members. No matter how challenging or busy a shift is, Immy makes it a point that her patients are seen and heard.

Immy’s peers often describe her as hardworking, compassionate, selfless, and deeply committed to her patients. Immy is also a mentor and role model, guiding others with kindness and professionalism. She consistently puts patients first and makes sure that every individual receives the care and attention they deserve. Immy is also known for being a true team player as someone who is always willing to lend a hand, share her knowledge, and support others. Immy truly embodies the DAISY Award and the values that define our nursing team.

I have had the pleasure and opportunity to have worked with Immy for the last 10 years I have been with NW. When I started out as a fresh new grad resident on the ortho/neuro unit (former 4th floor), Immy was one of my fellow night shift RNs and we shared a similar work schedule – so we saw each other a lot and got to know each other well. Immy was constantly someone I would go to for questions, reassurance, and advice. Being able to see Immy’s work ethic in providing high quality patient care and advocating for her patients helped model what kind of nurse I also aspired to be. Immy was also someone who encouraged me to do more. I remember one conversation we had about wanting to “see” and “do” more outside of the ortho/neuro unit, and we actually both took the leap and joined the Resource Team together in June 2017! Immy has made an impact during my nursing career and continues to be a nurse that I look up to. I am forever grateful to have her as one of my colleagues.

Immy’s care and compassion have made a difference, and this award is a great reflection of the love and respect she has from our patients and team. Congratulations, Immy, on this well-deserved recognition!

 

Jens Fleming, RN, 2D/3D | August 2025 

This letter is in support of Jens Flemming an outstanding member of UWMC Northwest campus RN nursing staff, for the DAISY Award for extraordinary nurses. Jens’s watchful care made my week with Covid pneumonia into a real learning experience. I’ve been gaining new knowledge on how to take care of my lungs through a discussion with Jens on how to use respiratory fitness gadgets effectively,in order to improve my lung function.

Jens's skillful compassionate care is a credit to his profession. His friendly, compassionate care is giving him an empathetic manner. His dry sense of humor adds to his effective teaching style. As a kindergarten teacher for 40 years. I really appreciate his ability to stay positive and constantly committed to quality care.

Jens “sterling quality is that is that he is dedicated to going the extra mile” to make a difference in the lives of the patients he cares for. For example, Jens tracked down the pharmacist to find me extra cough syrup to tame my wracking coughs. Jens also found a pulmonologist to order me a home nebulizer to continue my lung treatments. When leaving this hospital, he literally goes above and beyond to make his patients feel loved , respected and healthier for being part of  UW Medicine.
 

JoAnn Slater, RN, CBC | August 2025 

It's taken me also a year to be able to write this, but I want to nominate JoAnn Slater for a DAISY award. On March 2nd, 2024, I was 8 days postpartum after giving birth to my daughter. I began bleeding unexpectedly overnight and came to L&D triage at the urging of my midwife out of abundance of caution. While I was in triage I met JoAnn. She immediately put me at ease; it quickly became apparent I would need a D&C as my bleeding picked up and I was so worried about being able to breastfeed by my daughter. 

JoAnn helped me pump as they wheeled me to the OR so that my daughter would have milk while I was undergoing the procedure. Once we got to the OR things got bad quickly as I developed a life-threatening condition called Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation or DIC and my blood could no longer clot. I hemorrhaged uncontrollably and needed an MTP or Massive Transfusion Protocol as I hemorrhage nearly 5 liters of blood. Unfortunately, I am a former trauma nurse and current nurse practitioner, so I knew exactly how bad things had just gotten which only made things worse for me. In my terror that I might truly die and never see my newborn daughter or toddler son again, JoAnn was my rock. She distracted me and got me to tell stories about my toddler son, she comforted me when I told her I was scared, she kept me warm, and she kept me calm. 

Once the bleeding was controlled I needed arterial embolization in IR. Even though she was a triage nurse that day and her responsibility to me had long since ended, I asked JoAnn to stay with me in IR and recovery, and she did without hesitation. She never left my side for the 9 hours it took to save my life and get me to recover. She turned down multiple offers for a break, never stepping away to eat or drink or even go to the bathroom. When I got to recovery I had to lay flat for 6 hours and was still worried about being able to pump milk for my daughter. JoAnn literally pumped my milk for me as I lay flat on my back and even helped hold my daughter to my breast so she could nurse. 

I credit her entirely with being able to continue to exclusively breastfeed my daughter even after a hemorrhage which should have made that impossible. It was so important to me, and she understood that and did anything possible to make it happen. In the darkest and scariest hours of my life, I will always remember JoAnn as the light that helped pull me through. I have been a nurse and nurse practitioner for over a decade and in that time I have seen the best and the worst of nursing. I can say confidently that JoAnn is the best nurse and the definition of a DAISY award nurse. I will always be grateful to her.

 

Keith Dias, RN, Emergency Dept | June 2025 

Keith Dias started working here as a travel RN a few years ago and has since signed on as permanent staff. One of the many reasons he chose to join this team is our dedication to patient centered care. Keith honors this commitment to our patients by consistently providing trauma informed care to our mental health patient population. 

One of many examples I could share with you includes treating a young patient experiencing a mental health emergency. The patient was psychotic and had become increasingly agitated during the stay. Keith spent an extended amount of time working with the patient and family to deescalate and advocate for family present at the bedside as appropriate and worked with the attending team to get the patient medicated appropriately. This patient was able to be released from restraints within a few hours, return to baseline and maintain family at bedside throughout the stay. 

I am so proud Keith recognized the value of keeping this patient and family together as a patient specific intervention especially in the setting of the patient's history. This is such a great example of actively listening to our patients, their stories, and meeting individual needs in the setting an extremely busy emergency room. Keith routinely treats all his patients with this same compassionate approach and that is extraordinary ER nursing.

 

Keri Fong, RN, SCU | May 2025 

I would like to thank my nurse Keri. She was compassionate and caring, treating us like family. She listened to our concerns, was understanding and very helpful. Safety was a high standard of care.  She was Skillful, knowledgeable, and respectful and I’m very grateful. 

She was always there when we needed her. She has gone out of her way to help us. Keri always brings a pleasant attitude to work and is supportive of her colleagues either if they need help or to offer encouraging words. She is a strong advocate of her patients and brings gentleness and kindness to the families.  Keri's interpersonal style and communication is friendly to others, allowing for professional collaboration with other disciplines.

Keri will go the extra mile for her patients and coworkers. One example is a patient that was anxious and had a really complicated discharge where there were problems with medications, education and a ride and she stayed with the patient until everything was figured out and they left safely. At the same time, she had another patient decompensate and transfer to the ICU. Keri often takes on challenging assignments, stays smiling and doesn't complain.

 

Linda Bakkala, RN, ICU | March 2025 

Linda is a dynamic and exemplary RN3 as she leads with compassion and passion for our patients and colleagues. Linda seamlessly checks in with staff getting to know each person as an individual and recognizes them for birthdays, life accomplishments and events. Linda is invested in staff's accomplishments, growing in their careers and providing them the best opportunities that she can make happen. Linda is primarily responsible for onboarding new staff which requires a lot of investment in setting new staff up for success- assigning the best preceptor for that person, scheduling shadow and hands on experiences, registering for classes and checking in routinely to ensure orientation is going smoothly. On top of all the work that goes into putting together an orientation plan for a new nurse- we recently completely changed the orientation format to align with the Montlake campus and Linda has headed up and rolled out these changes with our preceptors and leaders.  Feedback from preceptors and orientees has been very positive and Linda can take credit for a lot of the positive results.  

Linda also leads with passion- she wants every patient to have the best outcome possible- not only hemodynamically but also physically and she knows that mobility is a key factor for even our sickest patients. Linda envisioned and headed up the "Strive to Mobilize" plan for our ICU patients. She led the Unit and leadership team through the roll out of our mobility initiative which provides active and passive mobility to the ICU patients with the goal of reducing pressure injuries, earlier extubation and earlier transfer/discharge from ICU.

Linda sets a positive tone for the Unit and shift- I frequently hear staff say how great it is to work with Linda and how supported they feel.

 

Mirtha Cuevas, RN, PACU | December 2025 

I have been singing my praises from the rooftops and express my deep gratitude for those who directly cared for me during my post-op surgery. I just want to ensure that some note of gratitude gets to them and wanted to nominate for a DAISY award. I felt incredibly lucky for all the wonderful care I received during my time at the UW, but their care was extra special. I was very very scared going into both surgeries and despite all the meds, was still quite anxious in recovery. Having Mirtha by my side with their calming, kind and genuinely caring energies made such a difference for me.
 

Paige Booth, RN, 5A, Medical | August 2025 

Paige welcomed me to my room when I was transferred very late night after an exhausting and long day spent at the ER. This was my first time being in the hospital for more than a decade, and being an out-of-state student means I am unfortunately far from my family, and they were unable to support me. It was scary to be experiencing this alone. While in the ER for nearly 12 hours, I didn’t feel that I had super attentive care. I was often left with machines beeping for long periods of time and my nebulizer running, making it just a loud and generally uncomfortable setting. That changed when I was transferred to UW NW. Paige immediately made me feel welcomed. She stayed with me for all my nebulizer treatments and talked with me through them, kept the mood lighthearted, and always made sure I had everything I needed, no hesitation. 

She was so kind to me and gentle with her care, especially when waking me up in the early hours for medicine. When she was off her night shift, she came in to check on me and say goodbye. It meant a lot to me that she stopped to talk to me for a few minutes rather than just clocking out after what I’m sure was a long shift. I felt so safe the entire time I was in her care! Anyone who has her as a nurse would be lucky.
 

Ristet Ristet, RN, Behavioral Health Float Pool | April 2025 

Ristet is one of the most compassionate and patient nurses I have ever met. He gave the best care to his patients and had such a comforting spirit. He went above and beyond by taking time out of his busy morning to trim and clean a patient's nails as well as massage her hands with lotion. Even though he was busy he still took his time to give quality care to his patients and make them feel comfortable and happy. I can tell he genuinely cares for every one of his patients.
 

 

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Montlake Campus:

Alissa Lee, RN, OR | October 2025

Alissa Lee is always working to help others and doing the unrecognized labor that enables the OR to functionon a daily basis.  She is responsive and eager to assist when anyone reaches out for help, even when it may not be part of her regular RN duties. Montlake is lucky to have her, and her colleagues are so grateful to have such an amazing teammate!  Many of our patients do not get to witness, first-hand, the labor and care provided by operating room nurses, and Alissa is truly an unsung hero of the OR.

 

Alexandra “Allie” Bouchard, BSN, RN, CWON, WORN | October 2025

Gentle, caring, compassionate, positive, and willing to take on the most challenging patients. Allie is a steady, strong Wound & Ostomy nurse who does not shy away from any assignment.  She recently cared for a patient with an EC fistula within an open wound.  She successfully isolated the fistula and pouched the wound giving the patient blissful relief from the wound and fecal drainage previously damaging his skin. Allie is a tremendous asset to our small department.  We are so grateful for the skilled, compassionate care she provides to her patients and the support she provides her colleagues.
 

Audra Mary, RN, 6SE | October 2025

My husband, who has ALS, has had several hospital stays over the last year that provide both a backdrop and a variety of experiences with which to compare our gratitude and appreciation for all Audra did for us during our most recent stay. 

On top of the reasons for our admission, ALS introduces a variety of challenges to a routine hospital stay - such as use of a call light, nurse/patient communication, turning in bed, eating/drinking/toileting, etc. 

My husband also has PTSD and anxiety, which are easily triggered by elements of both his disease and the hospital environment, making it imperative that his stated desires are respected for things like temperature, blanket placement, body positioning, opening/closing of curtains and doors, and needs for being accompanied at all times and attended to in a timely way.

Audra was one of the best nurses we have ever had. She was thorough and timely at minimum though more often collaborative and proactive as a standard. At no time was she dismissive or argumentative regarding my husband’s needs or requests. She treated him with compassion, dignity, and a professionalism that was both tender and informed. She treated me as a respected resource and extended her concern beyond my husband as her patient to me as his caregiver.

She offered creative solutions to things we have routinely advocated for but rarely had such collaborative partnership on - things like creative solutions for sitting upright, relieving pressure on the body in ways that honored my husband’s needs for positioning in order to breathe easily, requests for medications to be administered on-time, and for frequent checks that allowed for me to sleep while assuring both my husband and myself that he would receive timely responses to his needs. Her attentiveness was undeniably passed on across shifts, as new nurses showed they had already received communication about his needs and preferences. If we told it to her, we could consider it told to everyone.

Audra answered our questions,advocated for comfort measures, and did not at any time give any impression that she felt any burden of providing care. She *is* the reason my husband was able to reach states of calm and assurance, because her standards for care included respect for his emotional and psychological needs in addition to her commitment to his physical medical care.

We know - absolutely - the demands placed on the professionals who work on the floor. We appreciate, deeply, the time and attention it took for my husband to feel so cared for. Audra isn’t just an asset to your institution; she is an outstanding ambassador for her profession. She demonstrated with grace, creativity, and integrity that it is possible to care for the whole person in this setting, and it made all the difference in the world.

Please extend your highest commendation to her, in recognition of the difference she made in a time of great need in our lives and of the quality of care we are certain she is bringing to every patient on every shift. It deserves to be recognized, rewarded, and modeled after. To even our own astonishment, it was truly a pleasure to encounter her, and we can only hope to receive the same level of care in the future.

Christina Garrison, BSN, RN, CCRN, 6SA | February 2025
On behalf of Andrea “Bronwyn” Browning, our family would like to nominate Christina Garrison, RN, for the DAISY Award. Christina consistently went above and beyond to provide extraordinary and compassionate care for our mother. Mom spent four weeks in a University of Washington ICU, three of them at UW Montlake where we were so very fortunate to have Christina as her nurse.

Mom was diagnosed with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, a rare lung disease, 2.5 years prior to being admitted. This disease required her to be on oxygen 24/7, with a flow and concentration as high as the delivery system could provide during her last weeks. Breathing was compromised by the recurring fluid buildup in her lungs, low blood pressure, and constant sciatic nerve pain. Towards the end, the very process of breathing was laborious and very painful. The most difficult part for all was her mind was clear but her body was otherwise. She knew she would not be going home, she was scared and did not want to die.

Christina was consistently attentive to mom’s changing needs; from adjusting her position every 2 hours, tracking down a much needed protein shake, advocating for an adjustment to her pain meds, to lowering her anxiety just by being present and connecting with her. A highly knowledgeable and skilled nurse, Christina’s extraordinary care and compassion was a light when we all needed it most.

One of mom’s final wishes was to make sure we would follow through in nominating Christina for the DAISY Award. With immense gratitude, we do so in her honor.
 

 

Cindy Hecker, BSN, RN, Chief Executive Officer-Retired 

Lifetime Achievement Award 

For over 40 years, Cindy has had an unparalleled impact on the delivery of healthcare in the Seattle area.  After completing nursing school in 1980, Cindy began her career as a Staff Nurse on the General Surgical Acute Care Unit at Harborview Medical Center (HMC). HMC is the only level 1 trauma center in Washington State and serves trauma patients from Alaska, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. Cindy quickly rose through the ranks, becoming an Assistant Nurse Manager of the unit a year after graduation. She then assumed leadership roles with progressive sphere of influence including Nurse Manager, Assistant Administrator of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer (CNO).

After serving as CNO for HMC for 11 years, Cindy was tapped to lead system integration work for UW Medicine. In this role, she identified and deployed best practices for process improvement across the 4-hospital system. Following this, she became the interim and then permanent CEO for Northwest Hospital and Medical Center. This role was critical as she led the Northwest team to develop new services and facilitated their full integration into the UW Medicine system.

Cindy became the Interim Chief Health Systems Officer and in 2018 led the work to make Northwest Hospital and UWMC one hospital.
On January 20, 2020, the first patient with COVID-19 in the United States was diagnosed one county away in Snohomish Washington. Shortly thereafter, UW Medicine opened a Command Center and served as a resource for Washington State and the rest of the nation. Cindy worked with our teams during this time, spending 7 days a week at the medical center as we quickly developed policies and procedures and embarked on a widespread training effort.  Like many hospitals, our supply of PPE was limited and there was great concern that our healthcare teams might not have all the protection they needed. I raised this issue with Cindy. She addressed my concern and worked with UW Medicine's Chief Medical Officer to pause elective surgeries, which preserved PPE, and ensured team safety.  As a result of her leadership and the team’s heroic efforts, no healthcare worker at UWMC lost their life to COVID-19.

Cindy provided key mentorship to me which helped our nurse leaders deepen the understanding of clinical operations and the nuances of motivating a team to achieve excellence. In town halls and staff meetings, Cindy modeled transparency and compassion in her communications with team members. Time after time, no matter what the challenge (i.e. pandemic, census surges, heat waves, flooding caused by an aging physical plant etc.), Cindy skillfully mobilized the team to ensure that clinical care was uninterrupted, and the teams had all the information, tools and equipment they needed.

Cindy leaves an indelible legacy of excellence in Nursing and Executive Leadership. The UW Medicine nursing community and the entire Puget Sound region owe Cindy a debt of gratitude for her exceptional leadership over her 40 + year career.

 

Kara Solem, MSN, BSN, CMSRN, 4NE | November 2025

Kara exhibits everything that a nurse leader and manager should. She is always available for a chat for support or problem solving. She's quick to dive in and help out her nurses. She never shies away from dealing with complex situations and appropriately escalates all issues to the proper channels. She is empathetic and kind. Her nursing skills are evident. In the year she has been with us, she has made such a difference on our unit. She writes weekly emails to connect with all staff. She is quick to give praise, shoutouts, and encouragement to her staff. She explains everything. I appreciate everything she does for our unit and our patients.

Juniper Moon, DNP, ARNP, CNM | April 2025

There aren’t enough words to describe how amazing Juniper is. I had a pretty scary pregnancy and Juniper was my main midwife through it. Juniper had the biggest impact on me during birth. I deal with very bad anxiety and she was able to help keep me feel safe and calm. I went in on a Wednesday at 6pm to have my baby, Juniper started working at 7pm. She was with me all night, working with my anxiety every time something came up (which was often). Around 9am the next day was time to start pushing. Juniper was supposed to be off at 7am Thursday but decided to stay with me as I was extremely anxious for any other midwife to be with me. So she took a short nap from 7am-9am and came back and we started pushing. After almost 4 hours of pushing, things took a turn. I needed a forceps delivery. I was terrified and Juniper held my hand through it all and reminded me over and over that I was OK. Once baby was born, I had to go straight to the OR. Juniper stayed with my husband while I was being stitched up for over an hour. At this point Juniper had stayed an extra 7-8 hours past her shift for us. She worked 20 hours so that I could feel safe and comfortable. I’m not great with words but I have never had someone make such a huge impact on me my entire life. I will NEVER forget her and I hope to have her as a midwife again when the time comes for me to have another child! She deserves this award and SO much more.

 

Kelly Gardner, BSN, RN, CCRN, CRNI, Cardiac Procedures | November 2025

Between her ‘clinical’ care skills and her mentoring other staff, Kelly Gardner is one of the strongest and kindest RNs I’ve ever worked around. She has been a preceptor for almost one-third of the existing ICRU staff, helping them to thrive in our department. She also performs calmly and thoughtfully in the Charge Nurse role. I have received feedback from managers and leaders on no less than 4 different units and the Flow Supervisor about, “How wonderful and easy it is to coordinate patient care, bed needs and transfers with Kelly. Can you clone her!” Kelly is also a resource and mentor for RNs within the medical center. She has taught at the Peripheral IV Workshop and has had some inpatient unit’s RNs shadow with her in the ICRU to learn and practice their IV skills. In addition, I have a long list of patient compliments/comments (sent from either Patient Relations or providers and going back to 2018) stating how exceptional and caring Kelly’s care was. Comments such as, “kind and caring,” “excellent care,” “kept me calm and explained the procedure perfectly,” and others like this are in her unit personnel file. Kelly directly reflects the values within the DAISY Award by providing extraordinary, compassionate, and skillful nursing care every day.
 

Libbie Musladin, BSN, RN, 8SA Nurse Manger-Retired
Lifetime Achievement Award

It is with deep admiration and respect that we honor Libbie Musladin with the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award. With over 43 years of unwavering dedication to UWMC, Libbie has been a guiding light across our organization—championing excellence, compassion, kindness, and authenticity in every facet of her work.

Libbie began her remarkable nursing career here at UWMC and has played a pivotal role in developing our inpatient oncology service line into the exceptional program it is today.   Libbie has navigated countless organizational changes and unit transitions with grace and resilience, always prioritizing the needs of patients and staff. Her ability to adapt while remaining a steadfast advocate for clinical integrity has inspired generations of nurses and leaders alike.

Libbie’s legacy is perhaps most evident in the team she has cultivated—an extraordinary group of clinical experts whose practice reflects her commitment to excellence. Through mentorship and visionary leadership, she has empowered others to grow, lead, and thrive. Her influence extends far beyond her current team as she has actively shaped the future of nursing through those she has guided. Libbie is a true role model for new nurses, seasoned clinicians and nursing leaders alike. She offers safe advice and exemplifies authentic leadership.

Under Libbie’s guidance, her teams have been empowered to provide truly exceptional clinical care. Her standards are high, her expectations clear, and her support unwavering. Patients and families have benefited from the culture she has built—one rooted in empathy, expertise, and continuous improvement.  Libbie is a tireless advocate for patient care and the patient experience.  She understands that the most important work happens at the bedside and works diligently to ensure that both patients and staff have the resources they need to achieve the best outcomes.

Libbie Musladin’s lifetime of service exemplifies the spirit of the DAISY Award. Her contributions have left an indelible mark on our organization and the nursing profession as a whole. We are honored to recognize her extraordinary journey and the profound impact she has made - and will continue to make - as her legacy at UWMC lives on for years to come.

 

Marie Schwartz, BSN, RN, 5SE | July 2025

I met Marie after receiving my 6th open-heart surgery and a heart transplant at 30 years old due to a MRSA infection in my heart. I was moved from post-op CICU to the general CICU after enduring early rejection of the transplanted heart and aggressive treatment for the rejection. This resulted in over a week of immunosuppressants which caused severe reactions each day of treatment.

Thankfully, I felt much better by the time I was moved to the CICU and met Marie, but had already been in the hospital for over a month. I was lucky enough to have Marie as my nurse for 4 or 5 days. Her compassion, personability, willingness to advocate for her patients, and vast cardiac knowledge were immediately apparent. She is also extremely invested in learning more about congenital heart conditions and care which made for insightful and comforting conversations as a congenital heart patient myself. She repeatedly took the initiative to make improvements to my care during my stay in the CICU to increase comfort, efficiency, and sleep. Not only is her nursing acumen unmatched, she is also extremely warm and personable.

As an extrovert, it was invaluable to my mental and emotional health to have a nurse that I could effortlessly chat with after being in the hospital for so long. Her presence was a shining light during my 7 weeks in the hospital and the most frightening moments of my life. Any patient that has Marie as a nurse is beyond lucky.

 

Rheese Dolgash, BSN, RN, CPAN, PACU | May 2025

I felt very overwhelmed and in pain as I was waking up from anesthesia. Rheese went above and beyond to calm me down and get me feeling more comfortable. She explained the medication I’d be getting to make me feel better, and she brought me snacks to make sure I wasn’t taking pain medication on an empty stomach. She even tracked down my surgeon and brought her to me when I couldn’t stop crying and needed a familiar face to make me feel better. We talked about our dogs and travel and music and movies, and I felt so much better, thanks to Rheese. She made me laugh and forget about how uncomfortable I was. She also helped me to the bathroom and put me in a less compressive post op bra to relieve some of the pressure on my chest. She kept in touch with my ride home to make sure she felt comfortable finding the building, where to park, how to pick up my prescriptions, and where to meet us at for discharge. I’m so grateful to Rheese for helping me feel better.

 

Trish “Thu” Huyn, RN, 7NE | January 2025

Nomination 1:  I don’t have words to describe the care Thu gave my sister. On this specific hospital stay, we found out that my sister will be going home on hospice. It wasn’t unexpected, just became so real so fast. I (her sister) have been by her side throughout all the hospitalizations, chemo, etc. I, too, am a nurse. For over 25 years. But not in this specialty.

We have witnessed the power of kindness. In so many ways. Almost everyone, at UW and Fred Hutch, have a certain quality that supports families and patients going through the toughest time in their lives. Knowing glances, smiles and nods, a hand that is held. These are all things my sister and our family have been lucky to experience.
And then we meet Thu.

Going above and beyond doesn’t begin to describe what Thu does a nurse. This is a heavy unit, lots of really hard circumstances. Thu walked into my sister’s room and, it might have pouring rain outside, who knows, but the room lit up with joy and sunshine. And not in a fake way. A genuine light in a dark time. The way she spoke to my sister was as if she had known her her whole life. She was able to give a familiar energy, but remain completely professional. I could see my sister’s shoulders relax. Like the room became a sanctuary of comfort. And let me tell you, comfort is not always a word I would use to describe an oncology unit. My sister smiled more during the 12 hours Thu was her nurse than I have seen in a long time.

From one nurse to another, I want to recognize Thu. I know her job is hard, and sad, and busy. But her grace and kindness made a difference to my sister. And I want her to know that.

Nomination 2: Thu is the most amazing nurse I’ve ever had!  Not only was she exceptionally sweet, but she is so skilled in getting me care and I never had to worry about any side effects when she cared for me.

We talked a lot about our lives and she even went out of her way to pick up her favorite soup for me to try from the cafeteria.  Every night I was so excited to see her, her care and dedication knows no bounds, and she really made my  time here much more manageable.

I really enjoyed getting to know her and was always sad to see her go, she is really so sweet, genuine and caring.

I wish her the best in all that she does.

 

Ghada Bu Khuzam, RN, BSN, MS, Acute Care Resource Team | May 2025

Ghada Bu Khuzam is ABSOLUTELY the most caring, efficient, compassionate and EMOTIONALLY INTELLIGENT Charge Nurse/Person that I've had the pleasure meeting, whilst being a patient at UW hospital.

Note: My daughter had great nurses when she was in hospital at Cedar Sinai, and I've had my fair share of wonderful nurses that took care of me, but none of them surpasses Ghada. Not One!

I suffer from PTSD and panic/anxiety and going to the hospital is very difficult. She made me feel so well taken care of and safe. And her spirited personality was a huge plus! That's a huge feat! Ghada was so genuinely kind. One can tell that she truly loves her job. She deserves the best and she is an asset to your establishment. I was so blessed for having been under her care!
 

Rupinderjit “Rupi” Kaur, RN, Acute Care Resource Team | May 2025

I was admitted to the hospital for ulcerative colitis and C diff. I was on several different medications as well as slow acting and fast acting insulin. The combo of all the medications I was given caused my precondition of anxiety to extreme levels. I suffered from rapid heart rates that made my feel like my heart was going to pop out of my chest and it felt like my COPD was getting worse to the point where I was scared to walk. The only thing that calms me down in “panic attack” mode is for my back to be slowly and lightly rubbed and to talk about something calming. Not only did Rupi do that for me once, but she did it almost every 20 minutes or as needed her whole shift. She didn’t make me feel crazy or like a pain in the butt, she was extremely empathetic and made me feel like she genuinely cared about me. Her patience, her attention to details such as making sure I had milks upstairs for me or always having my drinks or snacks available at all times. Any questions I had were answered and if she didn’t know the answer she would get the answer. No problem I had was too big or too small for her. She was super woman! She has a heart of gold and deserves to be recognized for her hard work.
 

Deon Dumdumaya, BSN, RN, 4NE | December 2025

Nomination 1: Deon is extremely quiet and caring nurse who takes great passion for providing the best care for his patients. Whether Deon is charge nurse, flex or taking patients Deon is always willing to help. He is incredibly patient. He is a great resource and is so knowledgeable. He is kind to everyone he interacts with.

Nomination 2: Deon took very good care of my father during his stay. Under Deon's care, I felt relieved that there was a nurse that showed patience,  compassion, and empathy during my father's emotional outbursts. Deon made sure to listen to my father and his input. He took the time update me and answer any questions I had. He made sure my father was as comfortable, fed, and safe. I appreciate the tireless effort and commitment in caring for my father. You're awesome!

Nomination 3: Deon worked tirelessly through my post surgery care.  He got me through the toughest 24 hours of my life. He wasn’t rattled by anything that happened and worked to keep my pain and nausea down. He has been a lifesaver here going above and beyond what was expected.

 

Adam Alcaraz, RN, BSN, CCRN, Cardiac Procedures | August 2025

Adam’s dedication and professionalism are unmatched. I can consider him as a true ambassador of our department. Adam’s compassion and expertise makes him an exemplary nurse. He treats everybody with fairness and respect and places his concern for the staff’s welfare above his own. Adam is always one step ahead when it comes to the flow of the department, making sure the patient’s disposition post-procedure is well communicated. He double checks that all patients are good to go for procedure by daily checking the pre-authorization, H/P, current labs, allergy, and isolation status and takes the initiative to inform charge/MD if something is out of the norm before proceeding with the case. Safety for patients and staff is his major concern at all times. We had an incident where Adam had to put a hard stop to an EP procedure because not all parties involved in the case were adequately informed. Adam explained to the MD in a diplomatic way that there is no way to start a procedure if it will cause possible harm to the patient and make staff uncomfortable during the case. Another time, there was a miscommunication from another department about the isolation status of a patient that resulted in the procedure almost getting cancelled. Adam took the initiative to review all labs, called the lab department, reviewed the outside record, and found out that the patient was not COVID + at all. Bringing and starting a COVID patient to a procedure is a big deal to our department due to anesthesia/vendor involvement and making sure there is proper signage and adequate PPE for all. Adam’s expertise and vast knowledge prevented the cancellation of the patient and the patient was able to go home the next day post procedure.

 

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Cares Awards

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In memoriam – Wayne Lucey

On June 9, 2025, the UWMC- Northwest community said goodbye to Wayne Lucey, beloved Nursing Supervisor. During his 21 years of service, Wayne was a dedicated and compassionate leader. Wayne was not known for being the loudest in the room, but it was his quiet strength, calm demeanor and steadfast work that left a deep impact on those he touched. Because of his continual support for the night shift team, willingness to go above and beyond and his endless patient advocacy, anyone who knew Wayne would echo that, “if Wayne was working, everything will be OK.” Wayne Lucey leaves behind a legacy of service to others that will not be forgotten. He led with an authentic wittiness and charisma that left an imprint on everyone fortunate enough to know him. His humor always brought smiles and laughter to the team even on the hardest days. Wayne will always be in our hearts. He will not only be remembered for what he has done for the UWMC- Northwest community but for the lasting impact he made others feel- valued, uplifted and never alone.

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