September 2025 Honoree
Anna Gonzalez, RN
First, Dr. G stated that he may be contacted regarding this nomination, as I spoke with him directly about this event.
I am not certain of the exact date, but Dr. G had ordered comfort care for a patient. The one condition was that the patient wanted to receive her final rites before transitioning to comfort care. Dr. G placed an order for Spiritual Care early that morning, but throughout the day no one followed up, leaving the patient's family waiting for her final rites.
When Anna Gonzalez arrived for her night shift, Dr. G shared the situation with her and explained that no one had yet been able to arrange for the patient's final rites.
Without hesitation, Anna immediately took action.
She first contacted the House Supervisor, who informed her that no one was available. Refusing to give up, Anna began calling every Catholic church in Salinas late that evening, but was unable to reach anyone.
Finally, she contacted the Catholic church in Spreckels, where, by what felt like a miracle, someone answered the phone and connected her with the parish priest.
The priest explained that he was celebrating his sister's birthday dinner but assured Anna that he would be at the hospital within 20 minutes.
True to his word, the priest arrived quickly and administered the patient's final rites. Only after receiving this deeply important sacrament was the patient officially transitioned to comfort care.
If it had not been for Anna's relentless determination to honor the patient's final wishes, she may never have received the spiritual care that was so important to her before the end of her life.
Anna's persistence, compassion, and unwavering commitment to respecting her patient's beliefs exemplify the very heart of nursing. She understood that providing exceptional care means honoring not only a patient's physical needs, but also their emotional and spiritual needs during life's most sacred moments.
For her extraordinary advocacy and dedication to ensuring her patient's final wishes were fulfilled, Anna is truly deserving of the DAISY Award.
I am not certain of the exact date, but Dr. G had ordered comfort care for a patient. The one condition was that the patient wanted to receive her final rites before transitioning to comfort care. Dr. G placed an order for Spiritual Care early that morning, but throughout the day no one followed up, leaving the patient's family waiting for her final rites.
When Anna Gonzalez arrived for her night shift, Dr. G shared the situation with her and explained that no one had yet been able to arrange for the patient's final rites.
Without hesitation, Anna immediately took action.
She first contacted the House Supervisor, who informed her that no one was available. Refusing to give up, Anna began calling every Catholic church in Salinas late that evening, but was unable to reach anyone.
Finally, she contacted the Catholic church in Spreckels, where, by what felt like a miracle, someone answered the phone and connected her with the parish priest.
The priest explained that he was celebrating his sister's birthday dinner but assured Anna that he would be at the hospital within 20 minutes.
True to his word, the priest arrived quickly and administered the patient's final rites. Only after receiving this deeply important sacrament was the patient officially transitioned to comfort care.
If it had not been for Anna's relentless determination to honor the patient's final wishes, she may never have received the spiritual care that was so important to her before the end of her life.
Anna's persistence, compassion, and unwavering commitment to respecting her patient's beliefs exemplify the very heart of nursing. She understood that providing exceptional care means honoring not only a patient's physical needs, but also their emotional and spiritual needs during life's most sacred moments.
For her extraordinary advocacy and dedication to ensuring her patient's final wishes were fulfilled, Anna is truly deserving of the DAISY Award.
Thank you, Anna, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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