October 2026 Honoree
6th Floor Orthopedics
Danielle Alfano, RN, ADN • Kathryn Anderson, RN, ADN • Moumini Apity, HCT • Maura Antalek, RN, MSN, CMSRN • Rachel Barhite, RN, BSN • Deana Barton, RN, ASN • Laurie Bentkowski, RN, AAS • Carol Black, RN, ASN • Mersija Boric, HCT • Melanie Cacialli, RN, BSN • Carlos Carrasquillo, HCT • Josephine Charron, RN, ADN • Matthew Clark, RN, AAS, ASN • Allison Crawford, RN, BSN, CMSRN • Star Crawford, HCT • Jennifer Cruz, RN, ADN, CMSRN • Janet Daclan, RN • Hanna Dellostritto, RN, AAS • Jenna DiLauro, RN, BSN, MS • Debbraonna Donovan, HCT • Aleah Duchano, RN, ADN • Tina Ellis, HCT • Alexa Everson, HCT • Sara Everts, HCT • Asiia Floyd, HCT • Stacy Freer, RN, BSN • Liya Gizaw, RN • Megan Goodell, RN, ADN • Alison Goode Mossow, RN, ASN, BPS • Patrick Goss, RN, BSN • Collin Hall, RN, ASN • Jessica Hamm, RN, BSN • Natalie Hughson, RN, ASN • Bonnie Hutchings, RN, AAS • Maniah Husein, HCT • Rachel Jenkins, RN, ADN • Sonya Kowalski, RN, BSN, MSN • Angela Le, RN, BSN • Bryan Leader, RN, ASN, BS, DC • Taylor Lukins, RN, BSN, CMSRN • Crystal Lyons, HCT • Kitty McIntosh, HCT • Ashley McNamara, RN, ASN, BLA • Abigail Miller, RN, BSN, ADN • Mckenna Miller, RN, BSN • Zipporah Milovsky, RN, BSN, CRRN • Nicole Mitchell, RN, ASN, DC • Addison Morgan, RN, ASN • Siobhan Murtagh, RN • Charlena Myers, RN, ASN • Janice Myers, RN • Donna Naumovich, RN • Amy Nesbitt, RN, BSN, ADN • Robert O'Dell, RN • Ewa Pashchuk, RN • Allison Pedraza, RN, MSN, CMSRN • Grace Plumley, RN, ASN • Danielle Porter, RN, ASN, BSN • Karen Renfroe, MOA • Amanda Rothfritz, HCT • Samantha Rubin-Lo, RN, BSN • Keron Salmon, HCT • Nicole Scott, RN, ASN • Alyssa Silva-Nieves, RN, BSN • Rebecca Smola, HCT • Joanna Spano, RN, BSN, CMSRN • Joelle Stewart, HCT • Dawn Thomas, HCT • Jean Torres Zea, RN • Nicolette Twoguns, RN • Jennifer Valentine, RN, ASN, CMSRN • John Wagner, RN, BSN • Destiny White, HCT • Correy Wilmer, RN, BSN • Chantia Williams, HCT • Crystal Wright, RN, BSN, MPH, CNML • Trinity Wright, HCT • Bonnie Young, HCT
I am honored to recognize the 6 Ortho team for their extraordinary collaboration, compassion, and commitment to meeting the needs of a vulnerable patient in a way that extended far beyond traditional nursing care.
This year, our unit admitted a patient with autism spectrum disorder and significant behavioral challenges. Due to numerous barriers to placement, it was expected that the patient would remain hospitalized for an extended period. On paper, this appeared to be a complex and difficult situation.
What followed, however, was an inspiring example of how a team can transform a patient's experience through creativity, teamwork, and genuine human connection.
From the moment the patient arrived, staff did not focus on the challenges. Instead, they focused on the person. Nurses and HCTs took the time to learn the patient's interests, communication style, triggers, and motivators.
Staff members with backgrounds in special education and experience caring for individuals with developmental disabilities shared their knowledge and helped guide the team's approach. Others drew on personal experiences caring for family members with similar diagnoses. Together, they created a culture of understanding, patience, and acceptance.
Rather than reacting to behaviors, the team sought to understand what the patient was communicating. During periods of overstimulation and distress, staff sat on the floor from a safe distance, played calming music, and created a therapeutic environment that helped the patient regain a sense of safety and control. They consistently approached each interaction with compassion, even during the most challenging moments.
Recognizing that the patient's greatest joy came from social interaction and meaningful engagement, the team developed creative interventions that mimicked the structure and enrichment of the day-hab program the patient was unable to attend while hospitalized.
Nurses and HCTs organized opportunities for the patient to color, eat meals, and socialize with others. What may have appeared to be simple activities became meaningful therapeutic interventions that provided purpose, routine, and connection. These efforts helped prevent isolation and allowed the patient to experience the hospital as more than a place of treatment.
The collaboration extended well beyond the unit. Through partnership between the nurse manager, the Adult BERT Program Manager, OPWDD representatives, providers, and Licensed Behavior Analysts from the Golisano Center for Special Needs, the team developed individualized strategies to support the patient's unique needs.
Staff integrated recommendations into daily care, offering choices, establishing routines, and promoting participation in care decisions. These interventions empowered the patient and reduced anxiety while fostering greater independence and engagement.
Staff also took the time to make sure that each time an individual not familiar with the patient came to sit with them, they also understood the plan and set them up for success with caring for this patient.
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this story is the unwavering compassion demonstrated by the team. Staff members routinely stopped what they were doing to participate in dance parties in the hallway, celebrate successes, paint nails during a "spa day," and create joyful moments that brought comfort and dignity to a patient living in an unfamiliar environment.
Even after being scratched, kicked, or struck during periods of behavioral escalation, staff continued to show empathy and understanding. They looked beyond the behaviors and saw a person who deserved patience, respect, and every opportunity to thrive.
The impact of these efforts was profound. The patient's mother, treating physician, OPWDD representatives, and behavior specialists all expressed appreciation for the exceptional care and compassion demonstrated by the team.
More importantly, the patient experienced connection, acceptance, and joy during a hospitalization that could have easily become isolating and traumatic.
The 6 Ortho team did far more than provide nursing care. They created a sense of belonging. They transformed barriers into opportunities, challenges into meaningful relationships, and a hospital stay into a place where a vulnerable patient felt seen, understood, and valued.
For their extraordinary teamwork, innovation, and unwavering commitment to compassionate care, I can think of no team more deserving of the DAISY Team Award.
This year, our unit admitted a patient with autism spectrum disorder and significant behavioral challenges. Due to numerous barriers to placement, it was expected that the patient would remain hospitalized for an extended period. On paper, this appeared to be a complex and difficult situation.
What followed, however, was an inspiring example of how a team can transform a patient's experience through creativity, teamwork, and genuine human connection.
From the moment the patient arrived, staff did not focus on the challenges. Instead, they focused on the person. Nurses and HCTs took the time to learn the patient's interests, communication style, triggers, and motivators.
Staff members with backgrounds in special education and experience caring for individuals with developmental disabilities shared their knowledge and helped guide the team's approach. Others drew on personal experiences caring for family members with similar diagnoses. Together, they created a culture of understanding, patience, and acceptance.
Rather than reacting to behaviors, the team sought to understand what the patient was communicating. During periods of overstimulation and distress, staff sat on the floor from a safe distance, played calming music, and created a therapeutic environment that helped the patient regain a sense of safety and control. They consistently approached each interaction with compassion, even during the most challenging moments.
Recognizing that the patient's greatest joy came from social interaction and meaningful engagement, the team developed creative interventions that mimicked the structure and enrichment of the day-hab program the patient was unable to attend while hospitalized.
Nurses and HCTs organized opportunities for the patient to color, eat meals, and socialize with others. What may have appeared to be simple activities became meaningful therapeutic interventions that provided purpose, routine, and connection. These efforts helped prevent isolation and allowed the patient to experience the hospital as more than a place of treatment.
The collaboration extended well beyond the unit. Through partnership between the nurse manager, the Adult BERT Program Manager, OPWDD representatives, providers, and Licensed Behavior Analysts from the Golisano Center for Special Needs, the team developed individualized strategies to support the patient's unique needs.
Staff integrated recommendations into daily care, offering choices, establishing routines, and promoting participation in care decisions. These interventions empowered the patient and reduced anxiety while fostering greater independence and engagement.
Staff also took the time to make sure that each time an individual not familiar with the patient came to sit with them, they also understood the plan and set them up for success with caring for this patient.
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this story is the unwavering compassion demonstrated by the team. Staff members routinely stopped what they were doing to participate in dance parties in the hallway, celebrate successes, paint nails during a "spa day," and create joyful moments that brought comfort and dignity to a patient living in an unfamiliar environment.
Even after being scratched, kicked, or struck during periods of behavioral escalation, staff continued to show empathy and understanding. They looked beyond the behaviors and saw a person who deserved patience, respect, and every opportunity to thrive.
The impact of these efforts was profound. The patient's mother, treating physician, OPWDD representatives, and behavior specialists all expressed appreciation for the exceptional care and compassion demonstrated by the team.
More importantly, the patient experienced connection, acceptance, and joy during a hospitalization that could have easily become isolating and traumatic.
The 6 Ortho team did far more than provide nursing care. They created a sense of belonging. They transformed barriers into opportunities, challenges into meaningful relationships, and a hospital stay into a place where a vulnerable patient felt seen, understood, and valued.
For their extraordinary teamwork, innovation, and unwavering commitment to compassionate care, I can think of no team more deserving of the DAISY Team Award.
Thank you for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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