The 6W/7W Acute Pediatric Team
May 2026
The 6W/7W Acute Pediatric Team
Stony Brook Children's Hospital
Stony Brook
,
NY
United States
Aidan Meehan, RN
Sia Miriam Thomas, RN
Sheridan Schoepfer, RN
Dawn Mahoney, RN
Amy LaRusso, RN
Sia Miriam Thomas, RN
Sheridan Schoepfer, RN
Dawn Mahoney, RN
Amy LaRusso, RN
They didn’t just manage his care; they became his cheerleaders, protectors, and advocates.
When my 16-year-old nephew, whom I care for, underwent scoliosis correction surgery, I thought I was prepared for what recovery would be like. But nothing could have prepared me for the helplessness of watching my child struggle through pain, fear, and exhaustion after such a major operation. As a parent, it is heartbreaking to see your child so vulnerable, but from the moment we arrived in recovery, the team of nurses surrounded us with compassion, skill, and unwavering dedication. They didn’t just manage his care; they became his cheerleaders, protectors, and advocates. They learned how he liked to be positioned to ease his back pain. They celebrated every tiny milestone, his first steps with the walker, the first time he managed to sit up on his own, the night he finally slept without constant discomfort. When the pain felt unbearable, they didn’t just adjust medications; they held his hand, looked him in the eye, and told him how strong and brave he was until he believed it. They never treated him like just another patient. They treated him like a young man with dreams, fears, and feelings that mattered deeply. As his aunt, I will never forget how they also took care of me, answering every question, calming my worries, and teaching me exactly how to support him once we went home. They made sure I never felt alone in the process, and that support meant more than words can ever say. These nurses went so far beyond the call of duty. They didn’t just help my son heal physically; they helped him regain confidence, strength, and hope. They treated him as if he were their own child, and in our most difficult days, they became our angels. For these reasons, and so many more, I wholeheartedly nominate this incredible team of nurses for the DAISY Award. They will forever be a part of our story, and I will never forget the kindness and care they showed my son.