Gia Young, RN

There are nurses who provide excellent care, and then there are nurses like Gia Young—nurses who have a remarkable ability to see the person behind the patient and find meaningful ways to meet needs that go far beyond what is written in a care plan.

Gia is well known on our unit for consistently going above and beyond. She brings hygiene items for patients beyond our basic shampoo and body wash. She brings little things that make our staff’s daily work a little brighter. She always seems to have tea available for anyone who needs what can only be described as a “warm hug in a cup.” Most importantly, Gia has a gift for delivering care in a deeply personal way that simply cannot be duplicated.

This weekend, Gia outdid even herself. We had a patient who was a victim of domestic violence and who also has a history of PTSD. The patient uses a baby doll as a comfort item, but unfortunately, the doll had been left at home.

With the patient’s permission, Gia reached out to the patient’s boyfriend and asked if he could bring the doll to the hospital. Understanding the safety concerns involved, Gia coordinated with security so that he could meet them at the Emergency Department entrance, leave the doll, and never have to enter the hospital or come to the unit.

But Gia didn’t stop there. She found a gray bin and transformed it into a little bed for the doll. She went to Labor & Delivery and secured a blanket so the doll could be tucked in and cared for in close proximity to the patient. She then provided the patient this familiar comfort item under supervision, during an incredibly difficult and vulnerable time.

Gia also advocated for the patient to be able to keep the doll throughout the following night to promote comfort and rest. Because outside items on Lifespring require a physician’s order, Gia collaborated with the staff to ensure the appropriate order was obtained.

What stands out most is that Gia took the time to truly listen. She identified what this patient needed—not simply medically, but emotionally—and then used her creativity, compassion, and out-of-the-box thinking to meet her where she was.

The on-call physician summed it up perfectly: “That doll was probably more therapeutic than any medicine we had to give.” That statement captures exactly what makes Gia such an extraordinary nurse.

Gia is a role model for all of us. She is a picture of patience, compassion, and genuine presence. She listens to her patients. She notices the things others might overlook. She advocates for them. And she consistently finds ways to make people feel safe, valued, and cared for.

Her patients are incredibly lucky to have her. And I feel incredibly blessed to call her not only my coworker, but my friend.

Gia reminds all of us that sometimes the most meaningful care comes not from what is found in a medication cabinet or written in a textbook, but from taking the time to understand what matters most to the person in front of you—and then doing whatever you can to provide it.

Thank you, Gia, for showing us what compassionate, individualized nursing care truly looks like. You are an extraordinary nurse and truly deserving of the DAISY Award.

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This is Gia's 2nd DAISY Award!