I am writing this nominee on behalf of one of our 7 Monti and BMTU patients who asked me to make sure Sylvia Vernon RN gets a DAISY Award for being one of the best nurses who provided the best care to them. Sylvia has been with North Shore University Hospital for 29 years on 7 Monti Night Shift and is an Extraordinary Nurse who is often mentioned in nurse leaders rounds, shout out cards from patients/families and in our Patient HCAHPs on the phenomenal care she provides.

X was admitted with B Cell Lymphoma and came into the hospital with Empyema of pleural space without fistula. The plan of care is antibiotic, respiratory treatment, and chest tube to low wall suction until cleared by pulmonary for removal of tubes. She was discharged 9 days later. She reports, “Ms. Syvia, thank you so much for your compassionate, thoughtful care during these difficult days. You helped me understand my disease and treatment, which was too complicated as they were scrambling in my brain. You comforted me and explained everything to me clearly in a way I could understand. Sylvia, you are a nurturer, a healer, and a giver. Your kind, soft words are what I needed when I could not eat. You helped me with warm tea and crackers every night when you were my nurse, and you stayed in the room with me until I consumed most of it. I know I was not the easiest patient because my symptoms overcame me, but you, Ms. Sylvia, sat with me until I calmed down with my anxiety, which I know was too much for some to understand. I cried and vented my frustration to you. You not only listened, you cared for me like no other.  I pray others continue to learn from you as you are top notch on this unit. Like I told your coworker, “I want to be just like Ms. Sylvia when I grow up.”

Y was admitted with Burkitt’s Lymphoma with a plan of care to be given a CART-t transplant for DLBCL. She was transferred to the BMTU unit and is still receiving treatment.  She states, “I lost my mother 3 years ago, and Ms. Sylvia gave me attention and care that only a mother is capable of. I will never forget her. I was already having a difficult time with my diagnosis and family issues. I wanted a shower, and the hot water in this room was not hot enough. Ms. Sylvia got buckets of hot water from outside somewhere and helped me wash my hair. I felt human again, and I just want to tell you that it meant a lot to me because I was just not right. Her calm demeanor and soft-spoken words were just what I needed as I was washing my hair. She was patient, and she cared. She let me yell, scream, and cry in her arms, and this is what I mean when she gave me the attention and care that only a mother is capable of. I will never forget her, and please, if I must tell this story again, I will because Ms. Sylvia is an excellent and caring human being, and I am forever grateful for her."

If Sylvia is not a perfect example of a caring and compassionate nurse, then I truly do not know who would be. She puts her all into caring for our patients and she truly deserves to be recognized for her amazing work and kindness. Besides being a delight to work with, Syvia is a take-charge person who can communicate with patients and/or families for their benefit and health. Sylvia not only acts as a role model to the patients, but her colleagues as well.  She is often our charge nurse who goes above and all in what she does. She supports the new RNs and PCAs by welcoming and appraising them with her positive spirit.

Note: This is Sylvia's 2nd DAISY Award!