Shavonne Santiago
November 2025
Shavonne
Santiago
,
RN, BSN
Pediatric Emergency Department
Baystate Medical Center
Springfield
,
MA
United States
1st Nomination
Shavonne goes above and beyond for her patients and their family members. I was at her hospital with my son. I had been scared all day in the emergency room with him, then Shavonne walked in at the start of her shift, and I had instant relief. She brought a calming presence into the room and provided so much reassurance. She made sure to check on us frequently and provided us comfort with her care.
She is truly a gentle, loving nurse, one of those people who is just meant to be a nurse. She and the team even went above and beyond to ensure I could be with my son for every test and that he was comfortable, taken care of, and supported. I hope I never have to go back to Baystate Children’s with either of my children and that we have a future of health, but if we have to be there, I hope Shavonne is there in our corner again. Thank you, Shavonne.
2nd Nomination
My 10-year-old daughter with non-verbal ASD was an emergency patient. She has a chronic illness and is unfortunately seen somewhat regularly at the ER. We have therefore interacted with numerous staff members over the years, and Nurse Shavonne has been a standout each of the two times that we were fortunate enough to be served by her.
Going to any Dr's appt is an out-of-routine stressor for my daughter, and the staff's reactions to her anxious behavior have sometimes led to traumatic treatment experiences, but not either of the times that Nurse Shavonne was present. Nurse Shavonne displayed a level of knowledge and consideration for my daughter's ASD that we rarely see.
Everything she said and did showed forethought and consideration for my daughter's extra needs, resulting in a safer, more efficient visit. She collaborated with us as parents, advocated to the Drs, and presumed competence in my daughter, as well as respected my daughter's autonomy as the patient by addressing her directly.
I am a certified trainer of ASD for first responders, and Nurse Shavonne's actions display exactly how serving an emergency patient with ASD should be done. My husband and I often reflect upon our positive interactions with Nurse Shavonne, and it gives us hope that others are learning from her example, especially as diagnostic rates continue to rise in children. We are very grateful for her service and believe that she is more than deserving of this recognition.
Shavonne goes above and beyond for her patients and their family members. I was at her hospital with my son. I had been scared all day in the emergency room with him, then Shavonne walked in at the start of her shift, and I had instant relief. She brought a calming presence into the room and provided so much reassurance. She made sure to check on us frequently and provided us comfort with her care.
She is truly a gentle, loving nurse, one of those people who is just meant to be a nurse. She and the team even went above and beyond to ensure I could be with my son for every test and that he was comfortable, taken care of, and supported. I hope I never have to go back to Baystate Children’s with either of my children and that we have a future of health, but if we have to be there, I hope Shavonne is there in our corner again. Thank you, Shavonne.
2nd Nomination
My 10-year-old daughter with non-verbal ASD was an emergency patient. She has a chronic illness and is unfortunately seen somewhat regularly at the ER. We have therefore interacted with numerous staff members over the years, and Nurse Shavonne has been a standout each of the two times that we were fortunate enough to be served by her.
Going to any Dr's appt is an out-of-routine stressor for my daughter, and the staff's reactions to her anxious behavior have sometimes led to traumatic treatment experiences, but not either of the times that Nurse Shavonne was present. Nurse Shavonne displayed a level of knowledge and consideration for my daughter's ASD that we rarely see.
Everything she said and did showed forethought and consideration for my daughter's extra needs, resulting in a safer, more efficient visit. She collaborated with us as parents, advocated to the Drs, and presumed competence in my daughter, as well as respected my daughter's autonomy as the patient by addressing her directly.
I am a certified trainer of ASD for first responders, and Nurse Shavonne's actions display exactly how serving an emergency patient with ASD should be done. My husband and I often reflect upon our positive interactions with Nurse Shavonne, and it gives us hope that others are learning from her example, especially as diagnostic rates continue to rise in children. We are very grateful for her service and believe that she is more than deserving of this recognition.