Making Patients Feel Like Family

SALINAS, CA — Compassion, trust and meaningful communication are at the heart of quality patient care, especially in the fast-paced environment of the emergency department. At Salinas Valley Health, those qualities are exemplified by the latest DAISY Award recipient, Anthony Pollard Gensberg, RN, whose approach to patient care is leaving a lasting impact on patients and their families.

Pollard Gensberg, who is approaching his four-year anniversary with the organization, was recognized following two recent nominations that highlight his ability to connect with patients during vulnerable moments and provide care that extends beyond immediate medical needs.

One nomination, submitted by a fellow nurse, described the impression he made on a patient and her family while addressing substance use disorder. “The daughter said Anthony’s care and discussion with her mom surrounding treatment and it being a journey really stuck with her mom and made her want to come back here and try to become sober,” the nominator wrote.

A second patient nomination emphasized the comfort and reassurance provided by Pollard Gensberg. “Anthony was super welcoming and very kind. Made me feel comfortable throughout the whole process. Made my family and I feel like we were being treated like family,” the patient shared.

Also nominated for the DAISY Award during the recent recognition period were Amanda Antonetti, BSN, RN, Staff Nurse II, Patient Care Resources; Kevin Bagood, BSN, RN, Staff Nurse II, Observation Care Unit; Marlyn Berkenpas, RN, Staff Nurse II, Emergency Department; Kaitlyn Blazek, RN, Staff Nurse II, Telemetry/4-T; Adelisa Fe Mina, BSN, RN, Staff Nurse II, Oncology; Angela Fuidge, RN, Staff Nurse II, Med Surg; Janet Hernandez, BSN, RN, Staff Nurse II, Mother/Baby; Michael Jarschke, BSN, RN, Staff Nurse II, ICU/CCU; Hannah Leff, BSN, RN, Staff Nurse II, Observation Care Unit; Monica Loza-Gonzalez, RN, Staff Nurse II, Telemetry/5-T; Sandra Martinez, RN, Staff Nurse II, ICU/CCU; Christina Medina, BSN, RN, Staff Nurse II, Observation Care Unit; Lauren Miller, BSN, RN, Staff Nurse III, ICU/CCU; Maria Munoz, RN, Outpatient Advisor, Emergency Department; Brooke Naegle, BSN, RN, Staff Nurse II, Emergency Department; Nancy Oros-Tinoco, BSN, RN, Staff Nurse II, Telemetry/4-T; Luzviminda “Minda” Ramos, BSN, RN, CCRN, Staff Nurse II, ICU/CCU; Irma Rubio, BSN, RN, Staff Nurse II, Med Surg; Brittnee Sandoval, BSN, RN, CMSRN, Staff Nurse III, Med Surg (now: ONS); Jose “Dante” Santoyo, BSN, RN, Staff Nurse II, Telemetry/1-Main; and Lidia Victoriano, RN, Staff Nurse II, Oncology.

The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses is an international recognition program that honors nurses for the compassionate care they provide to patients and families every day. At Salinas Valley Health, the DAISY Award is part of a broader recognition program that also includes the STAR Award, which honors all staff who demonstrate the organization’s core values of Support, Teamwork, Accountability and Respect. 

Media Contact: Karina Rusk
831-759-1843