I am thrilled to nominate the dedicated and compassionate team from the Emergency Department at LHGV for the prestigious DAISY Team Award. Their unwavering commitment to excellence and patient-centered care when taking into consideration their patient population has truly set them apart and has made my time as a manager memorable.

This special team consistently goes above and beyond in providing swift, efficient, and empathetic care to patients in critical situations. Their teamwork is exemplary, seamlessly coordinating efforts to ensure the best outcomes for those in need. The LHGV Emergency Department staff's resilience in the face of high-pressure situations is nothing short of commendable, especially when considering our resources as a stand alone ED and the increasing acuity of our patients in the last year.

One outstanding aspect is their ability to create a supportive environment not only for patients but also for each other. Their camaraderie contributes significantly to maintaining a positive atmosphere in the Emergency Department, fostering collaboration and enhancing the overall patient experience. In my years as a nurse manager, I have rarely heard someone say “That’s not my job” instead often helping out other disciplines to get the job done and patients taken care of.

What truly distinguishes this team is their exceptional care for a highly complex patient population with various social needs. In numerous instances, they have demonstrated a deep understanding of the social determinants of health, addressing not only the immediate medical concerns but also providing support and resources to navigate complex social challenges.

For example, they have effectively collaborated with social workers and community resources to secure housing for homeless patients, ensuring a continuum of care beyond the Emergency Department. With the uptick of migrant patients, especially pediatric patients, the team put together a clothing and shoe drive for these patients. They put together bags so that patients could leave the hospital with an extra set of clothes and shoes. One nurse told me that seeing the pediatric patient's face when wearing her light-up shoes made her tear up.

I have witnessed countless instances of the team's commitment to going the extra mile, demonstrating a level of care that truly embodies the spirit of the DAISY Award. From comforting words to skillfully managing complex medical scenarios, this team consistently delivers exceptional service with compassion and professionalism. For example, walking the elderly couple to their physician practice appointment in the building so they do not get lost, to comforting a Cantonese-speaking patient until the daughter could arrive at the bedside.

In summary, the Emergency Department team's outstanding performance, dedication, and genuine compassion, especially in addressing the diverse social needs of their patients, make them highly deserving recipients of the DAISY Award. Their contributions to patient care and well-being are a testament to the values that the award seeks to honor. Although each team member at LHGV comes with a different background, skill level, and personality, it is the combination of the individuals that makes LHGV ED unique and special for our patients and each other.