April 2021
Danielle
Cardinal
,
BSN, RN
MICU
UPMC Presbyterian
Pittsburgh
,
PA
United States
Danielle helped him to understand what the doctors were saying in simple terms and not only cared for the patient but for the husband as well.
Danielle is a bright star in the unit and exemplifies all the qualities of a DAISY. Her positive attitude and smiling face brighten the day of those she works with every day. Her friendly demeanor is welcoming to new nurses, and she willingly shares her knowledge to help mentor inexperienced staff. Her genuine caring and compassion are displayed with her patients and are a comfort in the most emotionally trying days.
Danielle is a member of the hospital’s Professional Practice Council and actively drives the council initiatives at the unit-based level. Her infectious personality encourages others to join. Danielle lives by the UPMC values and demonstrates this in the care she provides on daily basis. The most recent example was when she was caring for a gravely ill elderly woman. The patient’s husband and she had been married for decades and her husband was physically and emotionally fragile dealing with his wife's critical illness. He was overwhelmed with the clinical information and hesitant to make decisions related to goals of care. Danielle helped him to understand what the doctors were saying in simple terms and not only cared for the patient but for the husband as well. She offered emotional support; while providing life-sustaining treatment for the patient, she also cared for the frail husband making sure he had something to eat. Danielle was the shoulder to cry on when the end came near. The patient passed right as Danielle was returning to work. She went directly to see the patient's husband who was saying his goodbyes. She was the angelic presence he needed in dealing with his wife's passing and was not all alone. She is truly a DAISY.
Danielle is a member of the hospital’s Professional Practice Council and actively drives the council initiatives at the unit-based level. Her infectious personality encourages others to join. Danielle lives by the UPMC values and demonstrates this in the care she provides on daily basis. The most recent example was when she was caring for a gravely ill elderly woman. The patient’s husband and she had been married for decades and her husband was physically and emotionally fragile dealing with his wife's critical illness. He was overwhelmed with the clinical information and hesitant to make decisions related to goals of care. Danielle helped him to understand what the doctors were saying in simple terms and not only cared for the patient but for the husband as well. She offered emotional support; while providing life-sustaining treatment for the patient, she also cared for the frail husband making sure he had something to eat. Danielle was the shoulder to cry on when the end came near. The patient passed right as Danielle was returning to work. She went directly to see the patient's husband who was saying his goodbyes. She was the angelic presence he needed in dealing with his wife's passing and was not all alone. She is truly a DAISY.