May 2026 Honoree
Danny Castaneda, MSN, RN, RNC-OB
Danny was my nurse during the delivery of my third son. I was being induced a week and a half early for high blood pressure, which eventually turned into pre-eclampsia.
Through my labor and delivery, Danny was exemplary in his respectfulness and professionalism while also remaining personable. My husband and I both enjoyed getting to know him and his background as we spent the day together.
He had a student nurse observing him and handled her role very appropriately. He knew when to have her participate and when to hold off. As someone who has experienced sexual assault, the way he navigated cervical checks and any part where my modesty was compromised was what I imagine to be “trauma-informed.” Always explaining what he was doing before doing so and always confirming consent.
Danny’s impact on my experience was most profound after my son was born, though. He was not our nurse the following day, but I was on a magnesium drip, and when he came in to check on us and say hello, I was breaking down crying. He stayed with me for some time and comforted me.
The following day, we had finally been moved into a postpartum room where Danny came to check on us again. My son was in the NICU overnight and seeing his sneakers come through the door under the privacy curtain immediately brought me a sense of relief.
Danny had a sweet gift for our baby boy as well as a very thoughtful card in hand. As third-time parents, most people in our lives assume we “have it all figured out” and don’t need as much reassurance or support through this transition. Danny could see that we did, and he made a strong effort to make both my husband and I feel seen during a very difficult hospital stay. His card is going in the keepsake bin with my son’s hospital bracelet. I read it daily for the first week once we were home because I couldn’t believe the gesture of kindness.
Danny’s technical capabilities as a nurse were by far superior to everyone else that cared for me. I’m not sure I ever even used my call light to engage him because he anticipated needs so well and demonstrated a unique sense of competency.
I have been home from the hospital for over two weeks and have thought about Danny every single day. Not because he always replaced my IV fluids before the machine started beeping at me, but because he provided a sense of support and safety I was desperately needing even though this wasn’t my first rodeo. His skill at his trade was effortless, but his ability to do his job well and see the abstract needs of the person under his care is what makes him stand out. Oftentimes it’s one or the other, but he has mastered both beautifully.
Danny also made a concerted effort to say goodbye to us once we were discharged. He made us feel important, and it truly felt like he cared. In all of my experiences in hospitals for myself (and my kids), Danny is the best example I have ever seen of what all nurses should strive to be. There is no one more deserving of recognition.
Through my labor and delivery, Danny was exemplary in his respectfulness and professionalism while also remaining personable. My husband and I both enjoyed getting to know him and his background as we spent the day together.
He had a student nurse observing him and handled her role very appropriately. He knew when to have her participate and when to hold off. As someone who has experienced sexual assault, the way he navigated cervical checks and any part where my modesty was compromised was what I imagine to be “trauma-informed.” Always explaining what he was doing before doing so and always confirming consent.
Danny’s impact on my experience was most profound after my son was born, though. He was not our nurse the following day, but I was on a magnesium drip, and when he came in to check on us and say hello, I was breaking down crying. He stayed with me for some time and comforted me.
The following day, we had finally been moved into a postpartum room where Danny came to check on us again. My son was in the NICU overnight and seeing his sneakers come through the door under the privacy curtain immediately brought me a sense of relief.
Danny had a sweet gift for our baby boy as well as a very thoughtful card in hand. As third-time parents, most people in our lives assume we “have it all figured out” and don’t need as much reassurance or support through this transition. Danny could see that we did, and he made a strong effort to make both my husband and I feel seen during a very difficult hospital stay. His card is going in the keepsake bin with my son’s hospital bracelet. I read it daily for the first week once we were home because I couldn’t believe the gesture of kindness.
Danny’s technical capabilities as a nurse were by far superior to everyone else that cared for me. I’m not sure I ever even used my call light to engage him because he anticipated needs so well and demonstrated a unique sense of competency.
I have been home from the hospital for over two weeks and have thought about Danny every single day. Not because he always replaced my IV fluids before the machine started beeping at me, but because he provided a sense of support and safety I was desperately needing even though this wasn’t my first rodeo. His skill at his trade was effortless, but his ability to do his job well and see the abstract needs of the person under his care is what makes him stand out. Oftentimes it’s one or the other, but he has mastered both beautifully.
Danny also made a concerted effort to say goodbye to us once we were discharged. He made us feel important, and it truly felt like he cared. In all of my experiences in hospitals for myself (and my kids), Danny is the best example I have ever seen of what all nurses should strive to be. There is no one more deserving of recognition.
Thank you, Danny, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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