February 2026 Honoree
Maria A Santos-Hernandez, BSN, CPN, RN
I am honored to recognize this pediatric nurse for the extraordinary compassion, leadership, and commitment to excellence in nursing care. She consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that every pediatric patient and their family receive exceptional, dignified, and compassionate care throughout every stage of their journey.
She provides individualized, empathetic care whether a patient is at the beginning of treatment or facing end-of-life. Recently, while serving as a relief charge during the passing of a patient, she demonstrated remarkable leadership and compassion. She ensured the patient was cared for with dignity and respect, supported the family with empathy and presence, and thoughtfully guided them through an incredibly difficult moment.
At the same time, she remained attuned to the emotional needs of the staff, ensuring team members felt supported, safe, and cared for as they navigated the loss. She is a strong advocate for safe, high-quality pediatric care and has taken the initiative to train in out-of-area units to better serve pediatric patients across our health system. Her willingness to expand her skills reflects her deep commitment to patient safety and continuity of care.
In addition to her clinical excellence, she is always willing to help her colleagues and foster a collaborative, positive work environment. Her warm smile, steady presence, and commitment to our mission make her a trusted leader and role model. Her impact is felt by patients, families, and staff alike, and she truly embodies the spirit of the DAISY Award.
She provides individualized, empathetic care whether a patient is at the beginning of treatment or facing end-of-life. Recently, while serving as a relief charge during the passing of a patient, she demonstrated remarkable leadership and compassion. She ensured the patient was cared for with dignity and respect, supported the family with empathy and presence, and thoughtfully guided them through an incredibly difficult moment.
At the same time, she remained attuned to the emotional needs of the staff, ensuring team members felt supported, safe, and cared for as they navigated the loss. She is a strong advocate for safe, high-quality pediatric care and has taken the initiative to train in out-of-area units to better serve pediatric patients across our health system. Her willingness to expand her skills reflects her deep commitment to patient safety and continuity of care.
In addition to her clinical excellence, she is always willing to help her colleagues and foster a collaborative, positive work environment. Her warm smile, steady presence, and commitment to our mission make her a trusted leader and role model. Her impact is felt by patients, families, and staff alike, and she truly embodies the spirit of the DAISY Award.
Thank you, Maria A, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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