December 2024 Honoree
Ashley Vergara, RN
I woke up and realized my 4-month-old baby needed to be taken to the emergency room. My daughter was pale, running fevers over 101, and lethargic-looking. I was then discharged from the hospital after the doctor ran tests and told me it was viral and told me to keep my baby on Tylenol and it would pass.
After getting home from the ER 30 minutes later, something horrible happened. My 4-month-old baby was see-saw breathing, and I decided the fire station was the best thing to do, as it is across the street from my home. The fire department sprang into action and provided oxygen to my baby until the ambulance got there, and we were then taken to another hospital.
My daughter was rushed into the ER; upon arrival, she had a team waiting for her. I thought I was about to lose my daughter, and I was hyperventilating as I watched the team stabilize my daughter when they did. A nurse told me, “Rady Children’s air team was on the way.”
My daughter got admitted to Rose Pavilion, 2nd floor, with nurse Ashley. I don’t know how to explain this, but I knew my daughter was going to be okay under Nurse Ashley’s care just by her presence and the way she introduced herself; the way she spoke was so informative. Ashley consoled me the whole entire time I was there. We were there for 8 days. My daughter caught RSV/Entero virus, which caused bronchitis and then led to pneumonia.
Ashley answered all of my questions and put my mind at ease. She was so attentive with my daughter. She picked her up and brought my baby to her chest, and my daughter was constantly spitting up on her for days. I felt like I needed to wipe off the spit-up from Ashley’s neck and hair, so I offered to wipe. Ashley declined and said, “You're okay, Mom. I want baby to let out whatever she needs to. Don’t worry; this is what my gown and gloves are for. I got it.”
At this moment, I realized the initial feeling that I got when I saw Ashley was confirmation that I had the best nurse I could have for my 4-month-old baby. Ashley was attentive and knowledgeable; as soon as my daughter's numbers would go up, Ashley was already on her way. From inside my room, I could see her quickly putting on a gown outside before entering. I knew she was coming to check on my baby.
She made me feel comfortable with walking away from the bedside to take a break, go shower, and eat something. I said to myself, “My baby is good; Ashley will take good care of her.” That’s exactly what happened upon arrival. Ashley was always in the room with her, checking on her and comforting her, as if she was her baby. The way she swayed back and forth and patted my daughter's back to put her to sleep was so heartwarming. She didn’t have to go the extra mile to do that, but she did.
She played with my daughter and got so many smiles out of her and baby talk and noises throughout her stay. My baby felt safe with Ashley, as I noticed how she was engaging with her. It was almost like she was trying to have a conversation with Nurse Ashley because she was making baby noises and was so happy to see her every time!
She provided tips on how to make my daughter's hospital stay a better and safer experience. She also prioritized my daughter's sleep. Not to mention how Ashley took it upon herself to refill my water cup with ice when I didn’t ask her to. She also gave me Gatorade, extra blankets, bath wipes, and pillows. We need more compassionate nurses like Ashley. Before leaving my room, she would pick up my water pitcher and say, “It’s time for more water, Mom.”
The day before discharge I was sad I wasn’t going to see her anymore as her work week was over. I cried and looked her in the eyes after she said bye to my baby and told her, “The world needs more nurses like you. I don’t know how I can ever thank you.”
I figured this was a perfect opportunity to show her how grateful I am. It’s an honor to nominate such a talented, intelligent, and compassionate nurse for the DAISY Award. I pray every parent comes across a nurse like Ashley, for you will find comfort and hope in the midst of your worries.
Rady Children’s Hospital sets the bar high, and it shows through their employees like her. I will always remember Ashley, and I thank god that she was the one who helped heal my daughter through the Lord's mercy. Heroes don’t wear capes; they wear scrubs. We will always remember that nurse who helped save my daughter's life!
After getting home from the ER 30 minutes later, something horrible happened. My 4-month-old baby was see-saw breathing, and I decided the fire station was the best thing to do, as it is across the street from my home. The fire department sprang into action and provided oxygen to my baby until the ambulance got there, and we were then taken to another hospital.
My daughter was rushed into the ER; upon arrival, she had a team waiting for her. I thought I was about to lose my daughter, and I was hyperventilating as I watched the team stabilize my daughter when they did. A nurse told me, “Rady Children’s air team was on the way.”
My daughter got admitted to Rose Pavilion, 2nd floor, with nurse Ashley. I don’t know how to explain this, but I knew my daughter was going to be okay under Nurse Ashley’s care just by her presence and the way she introduced herself; the way she spoke was so informative. Ashley consoled me the whole entire time I was there. We were there for 8 days. My daughter caught RSV/Entero virus, which caused bronchitis and then led to pneumonia.
Ashley answered all of my questions and put my mind at ease. She was so attentive with my daughter. She picked her up and brought my baby to her chest, and my daughter was constantly spitting up on her for days. I felt like I needed to wipe off the spit-up from Ashley’s neck and hair, so I offered to wipe. Ashley declined and said, “You're okay, Mom. I want baby to let out whatever she needs to. Don’t worry; this is what my gown and gloves are for. I got it.”
At this moment, I realized the initial feeling that I got when I saw Ashley was confirmation that I had the best nurse I could have for my 4-month-old baby. Ashley was attentive and knowledgeable; as soon as my daughter's numbers would go up, Ashley was already on her way. From inside my room, I could see her quickly putting on a gown outside before entering. I knew she was coming to check on my baby.
She made me feel comfortable with walking away from the bedside to take a break, go shower, and eat something. I said to myself, “My baby is good; Ashley will take good care of her.” That’s exactly what happened upon arrival. Ashley was always in the room with her, checking on her and comforting her, as if she was her baby. The way she swayed back and forth and patted my daughter's back to put her to sleep was so heartwarming. She didn’t have to go the extra mile to do that, but she did.
She played with my daughter and got so many smiles out of her and baby talk and noises throughout her stay. My baby felt safe with Ashley, as I noticed how she was engaging with her. It was almost like she was trying to have a conversation with Nurse Ashley because she was making baby noises and was so happy to see her every time!
She provided tips on how to make my daughter's hospital stay a better and safer experience. She also prioritized my daughter's sleep. Not to mention how Ashley took it upon herself to refill my water cup with ice when I didn’t ask her to. She also gave me Gatorade, extra blankets, bath wipes, and pillows. We need more compassionate nurses like Ashley. Before leaving my room, she would pick up my water pitcher and say, “It’s time for more water, Mom.”
The day before discharge I was sad I wasn’t going to see her anymore as her work week was over. I cried and looked her in the eyes after she said bye to my baby and told her, “The world needs more nurses like you. I don’t know how I can ever thank you.”
I figured this was a perfect opportunity to show her how grateful I am. It’s an honor to nominate such a talented, intelligent, and compassionate nurse for the DAISY Award. I pray every parent comes across a nurse like Ashley, for you will find comfort and hope in the midst of your worries.
Rady Children’s Hospital sets the bar high, and it shows through their employees like her. I will always remember Ashley, and I thank god that she was the one who helped heal my daughter through the Lord's mercy. Heroes don’t wear capes; they wear scrubs. We will always remember that nurse who helped save my daughter's life!
Thank you, Ashley, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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