May 2026 Honoree
Marissa Gurango, BSN, RN, CNOR
Marissa is the Caton Hill OR Evening Team Lead who exemplifies the very essence of nursing excellence, combining deep compassion and empathy with outstanding clinical expertise and an unwavering commitment to exceptional patient care. She leads by example, consistently creating an environment where patients feel safe, valued, and cared for, and where staff are inspired to deliver their very best.
Even before Caton Hill ASC opened its doors in September 2022, Marissa was instrumental in building the foundation for safe, high-quality patient care. She partnered with the clinical leadership team to thoughtfully design workflows, ensure the availability of appropriate supplies and equipment, and support staffing readiness. Her clinical insight and attention to detail helped establish a culture rooted in safety, efficiency, and patient-centered care. Today, Caton Hill ASC is known for its compassionate, resilient, and high-performing team, reflecting Marissa's leadership and the standards she models every day.
Marissa's compassion extends far beyond the walls of Caton Hill ASC. Shortly after opening, she sought ways to address health and social disparities affecting vulnerable populations. In December 2022, she organized a charitable initiative to support underserved children from kindergarten through sixth grade at Ovidio De La Rosa Elementary School in Cavite City, Philippines. Through her leadership, teams from the ASC, OPS, and Endoscopy units came together to provide school supplies, financial support, and basic nutritional resources, helping ensure these children could continue their education rather than leave school to support their families. For four consecutive years, Marissa has sustained this effort, demonstrating a profound and enduring commitment to improving lives through compassion and action.
Her dedication to patient care is also reflected in her clinical experiences. Having worked in a trauma hospital where maintaining an adequate blood supply was often a challenge, Marissa witnessed firsthand the critical importance of timely access to life-saving resources. This experience inspired her desire to give back in a meaningful way. What began as encouraging family members to donate blood grew into a larger vision to make a broader community impact.
Two years ago, Marissa approached me with the idea of organizing a blood drive, an initiative that had not previously been implemented in our Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic region. Despite logistical challenges, she remained steadfast in her belief that it could be accomplished. She first explored local partnerships, including Inova, before expanding her vision to reach a broader community. Driven by purpose and compassion, she connected with the American Red Cross and assumed the role of blood program leader, serving as the primary liaison while coordinating efforts across multiple stakeholders. Her persistence, strategic thinking, and collaborative approach were instrumental in bringing this vision to life.
On March 27, 2026, that vision became a reality. Under Marissa's leadership, the Caton Hill ASC-sponsored blood drive, in partnership with the American Red Cross, was an overwhelming success. A total of 31 units of blood were collected, with each unit representing the potential to save a life. The response from staff and the community was extraordinary, with additional volunteers eager to donate, demonstrating the powerful culture of compassion and service that Marissa has helped cultivate.
This achievement is a testament not only to her leadership but also to her heart. Marissa generously gave her time, energy, and personal resources to ensure the success of this initiative. Her unwavering belief in the importance of this cause, along with her persistence in securing leadership support and navigating organizational processes, made this event possible.
Marissa Gurango is an extraordinary nurse whose compassion, empathy, and clinical excellence positively impact patients, colleagues, and the broader community. She embodies the true spirit of the DAISY Award, going above and beyond to provide exceptional care and to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. I wholeheartedly recommend her for this well-deserved recognition.
Even before Caton Hill ASC opened its doors in September 2022, Marissa was instrumental in building the foundation for safe, high-quality patient care. She partnered with the clinical leadership team to thoughtfully design workflows, ensure the availability of appropriate supplies and equipment, and support staffing readiness. Her clinical insight and attention to detail helped establish a culture rooted in safety, efficiency, and patient-centered care. Today, Caton Hill ASC is known for its compassionate, resilient, and high-performing team, reflecting Marissa's leadership and the standards she models every day.
Marissa's compassion extends far beyond the walls of Caton Hill ASC. Shortly after opening, she sought ways to address health and social disparities affecting vulnerable populations. In December 2022, she organized a charitable initiative to support underserved children from kindergarten through sixth grade at Ovidio De La Rosa Elementary School in Cavite City, Philippines. Through her leadership, teams from the ASC, OPS, and Endoscopy units came together to provide school supplies, financial support, and basic nutritional resources, helping ensure these children could continue their education rather than leave school to support their families. For four consecutive years, Marissa has sustained this effort, demonstrating a profound and enduring commitment to improving lives through compassion and action.
Her dedication to patient care is also reflected in her clinical experiences. Having worked in a trauma hospital where maintaining an adequate blood supply was often a challenge, Marissa witnessed firsthand the critical importance of timely access to life-saving resources. This experience inspired her desire to give back in a meaningful way. What began as encouraging family members to donate blood grew into a larger vision to make a broader community impact.
Two years ago, Marissa approached me with the idea of organizing a blood drive, an initiative that had not previously been implemented in our Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic region. Despite logistical challenges, she remained steadfast in her belief that it could be accomplished. She first explored local partnerships, including Inova, before expanding her vision to reach a broader community. Driven by purpose and compassion, she connected with the American Red Cross and assumed the role of blood program leader, serving as the primary liaison while coordinating efforts across multiple stakeholders. Her persistence, strategic thinking, and collaborative approach were instrumental in bringing this vision to life.
On March 27, 2026, that vision became a reality. Under Marissa's leadership, the Caton Hill ASC-sponsored blood drive, in partnership with the American Red Cross, was an overwhelming success. A total of 31 units of blood were collected, with each unit representing the potential to save a life. The response from staff and the community was extraordinary, with additional volunteers eager to donate, demonstrating the powerful culture of compassion and service that Marissa has helped cultivate.
This achievement is a testament not only to her leadership but also to her heart. Marissa generously gave her time, energy, and personal resources to ensure the success of this initiative. Her unwavering belief in the importance of this cause, along with her persistence in securing leadership support and navigating organizational processes, made this event possible.
Marissa Gurango is an extraordinary nurse whose compassion, empathy, and clinical excellence positively impact patients, colleagues, and the broader community. She embodies the true spirit of the DAISY Award, going above and beyond to provide exceptional care and to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. I wholeheartedly recommend her for this well-deserved recognition.
Thank you, Marissa, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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