July 2026 Honoree
Dejen Letie, BSN, RN
Nurses must maintain strong moral standards and remain grounded in professional ethics; however, nursing also requires pragmatism to respond effectively to real-life and time-sensitive situations. In emergency events, nurses must think critically, act efficiently, and continue practicing within professional standards to protect both the patient and the healthcare team.
It is truly an honor to work alongside Dejen and nominate him for the DAISY Award. Shift after shift, he demonstrates extraordinary clinical skills while consistently providing compassionate care, professionalism, and respect toward both patients and fellow nurses.
Although he may appear quiet and serious when focused, he creates a motivating and positive environment within the unit. Whether working as a bedside nurse or serving as Charge Nurse, his presence makes the team feel safe, supported, and protected. I know that during any shift, I can count on his guidance and support when challenges arise.
He consistently encourages fellow nurses to step outside their comfort zones by teaching interventions and skills that may be unfamiliar to us. He explains procedures clearly and precisely, always allowing time for questions to ensure understanding and confidence. This also makes him a great Preceptor for our new nurses.
When staff members feel overwhelmed or uncertain, he remains by their side, helping them move forward safely and effectively to protect both the patient and the nurse.
I mention pragmatism because he understands the importance of balancing time, safety, dignity, efficiency, and accuracy in patient care. I wanted to emphasize this before sharing the following story because it reflects the seriousness and compassion he brings to nursing practice.
Dejen has been present during several recent Code Blue situations, and each time he has been among the first to respond. He immediately takes initiative to start CPR, directs the team calmly and effectively, and stabilizes the situation while awaiting support from the Rapid Response Team or Code Blue team. My teammates express how he redirected their minds from freaking out to precise focusing.
Last week was no exception when the patient started desaturating O2 suddenly and went into respiratory arrest and no pulse. Dejen ran to assist the primary nurse, indicated Code Blue, started CPR, and instructed the rest of the nurses. Dejen's voice surprised me; I was thankful to have him around with his kind, knowledgeable, and effective pragmatism.
Last shift, he caught my attention because he was caring for a female patient, and her provider required a vaginal swab collection, while simultaneously attempting to locate family members for a recently deceased patient. As a female nurse, I deeply appreciated the respect and dignity he demonstrated by going above and beyond to find a female staff member to assist with obtaining the sample in a way that preserved the patient’s comfort and dignity.
At the same time, he remained equally committed to honoring the deceased patient with compassion and respect before transporting him to the morgue. Sadly, no family members were present, but he compassionately allowed his PCA time to pray for the patient, ensuring the patient did not leave this world alone or without dignity.
Dejen exemplifies the true meaning of compassionate caregiving, leadership, teamwork, and patient advocacy. He leads with integrity, clinical excellence, humility, and humanity, making a lasting impact on both patients and colleagues every single day.
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My colleagues and I would like to nominate an outstanding nurse for the DAISY Award. I met Dejen in 2023 when he joined our unit as a travel nurse. He completed his contract and decided to transition to Parkland as a full-time employee. He joined our unit in October of 2023.
Dejen is an exceptional nurse and is loved by his co-workers and his patients. Many patients have asked that he be their nurse when he is on duty. He has many stories of his helping our patients or his co-workers. These are instances in which he showed his ICARE values.
A nurse was concerned about a patient who was desaturating. Dejen was in charge and went to assess the patient. When he entered the room, he found the patient in distress and immediately pushed the code blue button and started CPR. While the team gathered, he performed CPR until the code team arrived, and care was provided to help the patient recover.
Another instance was when he cared for a difficult patient on the unit who had not been pleasant toward other staff members. The patient stated that if Dejen could have been his nurse for his entire stay, he would have been the happiest patient ever. The patient felt he went above and beyond caring for him.
He is always very helpful when he charges. He helps many of his co-workers to the point of looking as though he is staffing on the floor. He is appreciated.
Dejen leads by example every single day. His selflessness, willingness to help his peers, and heroic actions at the bedside make him incredibly deserving of this recognition. It’s a pleasure to recognize and be able to honor such an outstanding nurse.
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I am writing to enthusiastically nominate Dejen for the DAISY Award. Working alongside him is an absolute privilege, and his quick thinking, clinical excellence, and compassion are true testaments to what exceptional nursing looks like.
Recently, while serving as a charge nurse, he demonstrated the ultimate level of leadership. A co-worker was attending to a patient who had taken a sudden turn for the worse when they abruptly lost their pulse. Without skipping a beat, he jumped right onto the bed and began performing chest compressions.
He performed CPR for an extended period, working relentlessly while the rest of our floor nurses and the code team prepared the crash cart. Thanks to his immediate, unwavering action, we got a return of spontaneous circulation, and the patient ultimately recovered.
This life-saving intervention is just one example of many that showcases his outstanding leadership. Knowing that he is on shift brings a deep sense of confidence and peace of mind to the entire team. Beyond emergencies, his everyday helpfulness makes him an invaluable asset to our unit.
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I am nominating Dejen for the DAISY Award because he is an outstanding nurse who consistently goes above and beyond to provide compassionate, patient-centered care and exemplifies what it means to be a true team player.
A few weeks ago, I was caring for an immobile patient with a discharge-to-home order. The family was given a cost for an ambulance to transport, but it was too expensive, and our Social Work department was unable to assist with the financial burden. The patient had no other means of getting home but by car, and because he was completely immobile, he could not assist in any way with his own transfer.
Without hesitation, Dejen stepped in to help. He assisted me to safely load the patient onto a cardiac chair and transport him down to the front lobby. Together with the patient’s family and friends, my nominee then helped us carefully transfer and place the patient securely into the car.
His willingness to roll up his sleeves and assist with these physically demanding tasks ensured our patient was discharged safely and with dignity. Because of Dejen's support, he relieved a massive burden of stress for both the patient’s family and me.
He is an invaluable asset to our unit, and I deeply appreciate all his help.
It is truly an honor to work alongside Dejen and nominate him for the DAISY Award. Shift after shift, he demonstrates extraordinary clinical skills while consistently providing compassionate care, professionalism, and respect toward both patients and fellow nurses.
Although he may appear quiet and serious when focused, he creates a motivating and positive environment within the unit. Whether working as a bedside nurse or serving as Charge Nurse, his presence makes the team feel safe, supported, and protected. I know that during any shift, I can count on his guidance and support when challenges arise.
He consistently encourages fellow nurses to step outside their comfort zones by teaching interventions and skills that may be unfamiliar to us. He explains procedures clearly and precisely, always allowing time for questions to ensure understanding and confidence. This also makes him a great Preceptor for our new nurses.
When staff members feel overwhelmed or uncertain, he remains by their side, helping them move forward safely and effectively to protect both the patient and the nurse.
I mention pragmatism because he understands the importance of balancing time, safety, dignity, efficiency, and accuracy in patient care. I wanted to emphasize this before sharing the following story because it reflects the seriousness and compassion he brings to nursing practice.
Dejen has been present during several recent Code Blue situations, and each time he has been among the first to respond. He immediately takes initiative to start CPR, directs the team calmly and effectively, and stabilizes the situation while awaiting support from the Rapid Response Team or Code Blue team. My teammates express how he redirected their minds from freaking out to precise focusing.
Last week was no exception when the patient started desaturating O2 suddenly and went into respiratory arrest and no pulse. Dejen ran to assist the primary nurse, indicated Code Blue, started CPR, and instructed the rest of the nurses. Dejen's voice surprised me; I was thankful to have him around with his kind, knowledgeable, and effective pragmatism.
Last shift, he caught my attention because he was caring for a female patient, and her provider required a vaginal swab collection, while simultaneously attempting to locate family members for a recently deceased patient. As a female nurse, I deeply appreciated the respect and dignity he demonstrated by going above and beyond to find a female staff member to assist with obtaining the sample in a way that preserved the patient’s comfort and dignity.
At the same time, he remained equally committed to honoring the deceased patient with compassion and respect before transporting him to the morgue. Sadly, no family members were present, but he compassionately allowed his PCA time to pray for the patient, ensuring the patient did not leave this world alone or without dignity.
Dejen exemplifies the true meaning of compassionate caregiving, leadership, teamwork, and patient advocacy. He leads with integrity, clinical excellence, humility, and humanity, making a lasting impact on both patients and colleagues every single day.
---
My colleagues and I would like to nominate an outstanding nurse for the DAISY Award. I met Dejen in 2023 when he joined our unit as a travel nurse. He completed his contract and decided to transition to Parkland as a full-time employee. He joined our unit in October of 2023.
Dejen is an exceptional nurse and is loved by his co-workers and his patients. Many patients have asked that he be their nurse when he is on duty. He has many stories of his helping our patients or his co-workers. These are instances in which he showed his ICARE values.
A nurse was concerned about a patient who was desaturating. Dejen was in charge and went to assess the patient. When he entered the room, he found the patient in distress and immediately pushed the code blue button and started CPR. While the team gathered, he performed CPR until the code team arrived, and care was provided to help the patient recover.
Another instance was when he cared for a difficult patient on the unit who had not been pleasant toward other staff members. The patient stated that if Dejen could have been his nurse for his entire stay, he would have been the happiest patient ever. The patient felt he went above and beyond caring for him.
He is always very helpful when he charges. He helps many of his co-workers to the point of looking as though he is staffing on the floor. He is appreciated.
Dejen leads by example every single day. His selflessness, willingness to help his peers, and heroic actions at the bedside make him incredibly deserving of this recognition. It’s a pleasure to recognize and be able to honor such an outstanding nurse.
---
I am writing to enthusiastically nominate Dejen for the DAISY Award. Working alongside him is an absolute privilege, and his quick thinking, clinical excellence, and compassion are true testaments to what exceptional nursing looks like.
Recently, while serving as a charge nurse, he demonstrated the ultimate level of leadership. A co-worker was attending to a patient who had taken a sudden turn for the worse when they abruptly lost their pulse. Without skipping a beat, he jumped right onto the bed and began performing chest compressions.
He performed CPR for an extended period, working relentlessly while the rest of our floor nurses and the code team prepared the crash cart. Thanks to his immediate, unwavering action, we got a return of spontaneous circulation, and the patient ultimately recovered.
This life-saving intervention is just one example of many that showcases his outstanding leadership. Knowing that he is on shift brings a deep sense of confidence and peace of mind to the entire team. Beyond emergencies, his everyday helpfulness makes him an invaluable asset to our unit.
---
I am nominating Dejen for the DAISY Award because he is an outstanding nurse who consistently goes above and beyond to provide compassionate, patient-centered care and exemplifies what it means to be a true team player.
A few weeks ago, I was caring for an immobile patient with a discharge-to-home order. The family was given a cost for an ambulance to transport, but it was too expensive, and our Social Work department was unable to assist with the financial burden. The patient had no other means of getting home but by car, and because he was completely immobile, he could not assist in any way with his own transfer.
Without hesitation, Dejen stepped in to help. He assisted me to safely load the patient onto a cardiac chair and transport him down to the front lobby. Together with the patient’s family and friends, my nominee then helped us carefully transfer and place the patient securely into the car.
His willingness to roll up his sleeves and assist with these physically demanding tasks ensured our patient was discharged safely and with dignity. Because of Dejen's support, he relieved a massive burden of stress for both the patient’s family and me.
He is an invaluable asset to our unit, and I deeply appreciate all his help.
Thank you, Dejen, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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