February 2026 Honoree
Stephany Gilgorri, RN
In my interactions with Stephany, she has consistently demonstrated a rare combination of professionalism, compassion, and deep commitment to patient-centered care—qualities that are difficult to teach and instead reflect the kind of person she is at her core.
One encounter that stands out involved a patient on our MHRT service who was in significant distress and required frequent medication adjustments. Stephany was caring for this patient while also managing four other patients, yet she remained fully attentive to the patient’s needs. She reached out to advocate for the patient when she felt their discomfort was not adequately controlled.
When I told her that I was adjusting the medications to make things easier for her, her response was both striking and memorable: she said that her only goal was for the patient to be comfortable, and that she was willing to be there all day administering medications if that was what the patient needed. She emphasized that it was not about her comfort, but the patient’s.
In a healthcare environment where the pace is often relentless, and efficiency is constantly emphasized, hearing such a sincere commitment to patient comfort was incredibly refreshing and inspiring.
Another moment that deeply reflected Stephany’s empathy occurred while we were caring for a 27-year-old mother of two with terminal cancer. I had arranged a goals-of-care conversation with the patient and her husband to discuss prognosis and hospice planning. When the husband arrived, he brought their 8-year-old daughter with him.
Recognizing the sensitivity and emotional weight of the conversation ahead, Stephany immediately stepped forward and offered to take the daughter so the parents could have privacy. She spent that time caring for the child, taking her to Starbucks and keeping her engaged and comforted while we spoke with the parents. Goals-of-care discussions can take time, and Stephany ensured that the child felt safe and cared for while her parents faced one of the most difficult conversations of their lives.
These are only a few of my personal encounters with Stephany, but they left a profound impression. She embodies the spirit of compassionate nursing—advocating fiercely for her patients, recognizing the needs of families, and bringing humanity and kindness into moments that matter most.
We are truly fortunate to have Stephany as part of the HCMC team, and she represents the very best of what the DAISY Award was created to recognize.
One encounter that stands out involved a patient on our MHRT service who was in significant distress and required frequent medication adjustments. Stephany was caring for this patient while also managing four other patients, yet she remained fully attentive to the patient’s needs. She reached out to advocate for the patient when she felt their discomfort was not adequately controlled.
When I told her that I was adjusting the medications to make things easier for her, her response was both striking and memorable: she said that her only goal was for the patient to be comfortable, and that she was willing to be there all day administering medications if that was what the patient needed. She emphasized that it was not about her comfort, but the patient’s.
In a healthcare environment where the pace is often relentless, and efficiency is constantly emphasized, hearing such a sincere commitment to patient comfort was incredibly refreshing and inspiring.
Another moment that deeply reflected Stephany’s empathy occurred while we were caring for a 27-year-old mother of two with terminal cancer. I had arranged a goals-of-care conversation with the patient and her husband to discuss prognosis and hospice planning. When the husband arrived, he brought their 8-year-old daughter with him.
Recognizing the sensitivity and emotional weight of the conversation ahead, Stephany immediately stepped forward and offered to take the daughter so the parents could have privacy. She spent that time caring for the child, taking her to Starbucks and keeping her engaged and comforted while we spoke with the parents. Goals-of-care discussions can take time, and Stephany ensured that the child felt safe and cared for while her parents faced one of the most difficult conversations of their lives.
These are only a few of my personal encounters with Stephany, but they left a profound impression. She embodies the spirit of compassionate nursing—advocating fiercely for her patients, recognizing the needs of families, and bringing humanity and kindness into moments that matter most.
We are truly fortunate to have Stephany as part of the HCMC team, and she represents the very best of what the DAISY Award was created to recognize.
Thank you, Stephany, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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