Joan Sternizke RN was nominated by a staff member who read a complimentary letter written by the sister of a patient. The letter complimented the entire staff of Heroes Harbor of the VA Hudson Valley Health Care system. The letter was written by a retired RN who expressed the highest satisfaction for the care, environment and compassion provided to her brother, who she said was terminally ill.
The patient's sister spent quite a bit of time, day and night at her brother's bedside and wrote that the staff was great to her. His sister wrote that her brother, "died the night I was not there. I received a beautiful card and note from Joan Sternizke who was with him. Her thoughtfulness in letting me know was very comforting."
The staff member who nominated Joan wrote, "all the other actions of the staff were kind and compassionate, it really is what we should be doing every day." Joan's letter went beyond being thoughtful, it assured this family member that her brother was not alone, cared for and (even loved) until the end. Her nominee wrote "everybody who has someone in the military knows that the family is part of the package."
Joan was awarded the DAISY award for the compassion and care with which she delivers care to the whole Veteran, which includes their family.