Photo(l-r): Cami Meunier, BSN, RN (nominator); Stephanie Albano, MSN, RN, ACNP-BC, DAISY Award Honoree.

I have never before met a nurse more deserving of the DAISY Award. Stephanie is an exemplary nurse in every way. She started in a new role at Froedtert in the Fall of 2011, taking over the position of Living Donor Specialist in Transplant Surgery. I came to the program to work with Stephanie in January 2012. After a few days of working with her, I felt as though she had run the Living Donor Program for years. To my surprise, I discovered that she had just started in the role a few months prior.
Stephanie took a program that was suffering without strong direction, and turned it around completely. She is organized, thoughtful and very bright; all wonderful qualities of an extraordinary nurse. However, it is the way that Stephanie works with others that makes her shine. She truly listens. She takes the time, over and above what she has to give, with each and every patient. She treats the patients as though they are the only one she has. Her critical thinking skills and medical intuition are those that I hope to model. The selfless people that come forward with the hope to donate their kidney are very fortunate to have Stephanie guide them through an emotional process. Stephanie is a strong advocate for each and every patient, counseling them on primary care, while strictly adhering to the criteria for living kidney donation. I believe she not only guides these patients in preparation for donation and surgery but also in making positive health choices for the rest of their lives. Frequently our program is faced with tough situations and difficult personalities. Stephanie handles each situation with grace and confidence. Although an experienced nurse myself, I learn from her every day.
Stephanie truly deserves the DAISY Award and is an example of the type of nurse we should all hope to be.