Chris Madden

I would like to nominate Chris Madden for a DAISY Award. I have had the privilege of working with Chris for the past 22 years. She is someone who I have always looked up to and have aspired to be like. She has been a teacher, a mentor, and a friend. She has been a nurse for about 20 years more than I have, but she can still run circles around most of the nurses. She is dedicated and works tirelessly to provide the best care for her patients and families. Super-human is definitely a word to describe Chris and we are all in awe of her energy and commitment to her work.

Chris is a resource for all (even the physicians). Anytime someone needs a second opinion or has a question, Chris’ name is usually mentioned first. If you polled the entire staff (nurses, physicians, ancillary staff) of the PICU and asked them who they would want to care for their child, Chris is the unanimous choice. You cannot get a much better reference than that. She can take care of my child any day of the week (and twice on Tuesday :). Any family who has had Chris as a nurse always requests her and often considers her to be the expert.

To site a specific patient scenario where Chris has impacted the pt or family would be an injustice because I would have to site every day and every patient for the past 40 years. With that being said, I could probably fill a book of specific instances where Chris has touched the lives of so many. Every day she goes above and beyond in all aspects of care both physically and emotionally for her patients. She is the ultimate advocate for her patients and leaves no stone unturned to get what her patient needs.