Debra earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from San Diego State University. Over the past 5 years, she has been a staff nurse in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Scripps Mercy San Diego, consistently demonstrating her compassion and respect to patients and their family members. Debra is a hard working, attentive listener as well as a strong patient advocate, collaborating with all members of the health care team to coordinate and provide optimal care for each patient.
Debra suffered an extreme personal loss that strengthened her as a nurse. Through tragedy, she experienced firsthand what many patients and family members must endure. Debra chose to respond to this life-altering event by giving her heart to others, as reflected in her calm, focused, and respectful presence. She is a gifted listener and attuned with each patient’s individual needs.
Debra receives the DAISY Award today for the extraordinary care she provided to a long-term quadriplegic patient hospitalized in the SICU for 7 months. Debra helped to coordinate as well as participate in numerous care conferences for this patient. She brought multiple resources and specialized services together to address his unique needs, which included finding special equipment for his phone, call light, and computer. Debra’s physical therapy background was put to good use. She worked with the patient ensuring he had appropriate hand splints to avoid contractures and flaccidity. Additionally, she worked with Rehab Services to develop a special series of range-of-motion exercises.
Debra made all the difference in this patient and his family. She is the epitome of compassionate care and therefore deserving of this prestigious award.