From the very moment Joan stepped foot onto this unit her smile and genuine kindness has been contagious. She is the consummate professional nurse in her daily presence on the unit. Ms. Lynaugh always puts her patients first and is truly a patient advocate. There has been so many kind letters, several shining stars written about her exemplary nursing care. Joan is the type of nurse every patient hopes to encounter. Her patience is exceptional, her compassion remarkable.
Recently Joan admitted a patient whose surgical procedure would place an obstacle in visiting her ailing son, a patient presently being treated at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital. Ms. Lynaugh went beyond her responsibilities as a staff RN and sought out a resolution that could make visitation possible between a mother and her ill son. Joan was once again proactive in her role as patient advocate with her dedication in finding an answer to make this unfortunate state of affairs more tolerable. Ms. Lynaugh was going to make this meeting a reality even if it meant her personally taking her patient via wheelchair from Cornell to Sloan. This is just one example of how Joan’s empathy stands as an example of her vocation daily. Ms. Lynaugh makes the difference necessary every day, whether it’s her clinical practice or warm smile, this is why I nominate Joan Lynaugh for the DAISY Award.