Nursing Rewards Reflected in DAISY Nursing Award

Salinas, CA -  A longtime nurse on the orthopedic and neuro spine unit at Salinas Valley Health is being recognized with the prestigious DAISY Award for the extraordinary compassion, professionalism, and inspiration she provides to patients and colleagues alike.

Shannon Valdez, RN, Staff Nurse II, Ortho Neuro Spine, was honored today during a DAISY Award presentation, surrounded by colleagues who gathered to celebrate her nearly three decades of service and dedication to patient care.

“It’s very emotional,” Valdez said. “I feel very appreciated. It just makes me feel that all the time that I put in here is still very rewarding, and that the way I care for our patients continues to be impactful and meaningful.”

The nomination for Valdez came from a patient who praised her leadership and compassion, particularly in her role as a charge nurse. The letter described Valdez and nurses in general as angels. Salinas Valley health Chief Nursing Officer Carla Spencer, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, read the nomination aloud during the ceremony, which expressed in part: “Thank you so much for being such an amazing and involved charge nurse. I always wanted to be a nurse, a smart and strong nurse, just like you. You are an amazing role model, and I wish more nurses were like you.”

Valdez joined Salinas Valley Health 27 years ago, beginning her career as a clinical assistant before becoming a licensed vocational nurse and later a registered nurse. While this marks her first DAISY Award, she has been nominated four times previously, reflecting a longstanding pattern of exceptional care.

“I don’t usually like all this attention,” Valdez said. “But I’m very honored. Very, very honored. It’s just really touching.”

In addition to the DAISY Award healing touch statue, certificate, and other honoree gifts, Valdez will be publicly recognized at the February meeting of the Salinas Valley Health Board of Directors.

Other outstanding DAISY Award nominees include during the nomination period are Erica Barnum, MSN, RN, Staff Nurse II, Emergency Department; Olga Breboneria, BSN, RN, CMSRN, Staff Nurse II, Ortho Neuro Spine; Gloria Cervantes, RNC-MNN, Staff Nurse II, Mother/Baby; Valerie Chacon, BSN, RN, CMSRN, Staff Nurse II, Ortho Neuro Spine; Maritess Condalor, BSN, RN, Staff Nurse II, Oncology; Ashley Coronado, BSN, RN, Staff Nurse II, Emergency Department; Erica Gonzalez, BSN, RN, Staff Nurse II, Observation Care Unit; Stephen Isbill, RN, Staff Nurse II, Heart Center; Katharine Jimenez, BSN, RN, PCCN, Staff Nurse II, Telemetry/1-Main; Jezza May Lopez, RN, Staff Nurse II, Ortho Neuro Spine; Laura Mendoza, BSN, RN, Staff Nurse II, Surgery; Roan Niduaza, MSN, RN, Staff Nurse II, Cath Lab; Marbel Orozco-Gonzalez, BSN, RN, Staff Nurse II, Ortho Neuro Spine; Sarah Christine Pacania, BSN, RN, Staff Nurse II, Telemetry/5-T; Victoria Pacheco, BSN, RN, Staff Nurse II, Surgery; Brittany Plascencia, BSN, RN, Employee Health Nurse, Employee Health Services; Flor Silva, BSN, RN, CMSRN, Staff Nurse III, Ortho Neuro Spine; Kristina Sutton, BSN, RN, Transitional Care Coordinator, Transitional, Palliative and Spiritual Care; and Kelly Yoshimura, RN, Staff Nurse II, Emergency Department.

Each month, Salinas Valley Health recognizes an outstanding nurse with a DAISY Award (for nurses) and a STAR Award (for all staff). The DAISY Award is an international program that honors nurses for their extraordinary compassion, outstanding clinical skills, and personalized care, established by the DAISY Foundation. The STAR Award is a recognition program created by Salinas Valley Health, incorporating the organization’s core values of Support, Teamwork, Accountability, and Respect, to highlight staff serving patients, the community, and each other with extraordinary results. Nominations are submitted by patients, visitors, and staff. To learn more about the awards, visit SalinasValleyHealth.com/nomination.

Media Contact: Karina Rusk
831-759-1843