As leaders, our goal is always what’s best for our patients and our team. This is something innate in our desire. We promote a compassionate environment for everybody. This is what Lydia embodies in her role as a leader. She is focused on improving the care experience of each of our patients by displaying the service values for her team to emulate. She role models the behaviors we want our staff to show to our patients and to each other. Her creativity empowers our staff to be involved in unit activities and encourages them to use them to boost morale in her unit. She connects with empathy not only during NLR but with her staff as well. She takes time to listen openly developing trust and staff confides in her. She always thinks of ways to make our staff engaged and our patients happy.

Emails from patients and/or family members are a testament that you make a difference in their lives. I want to share one of the emails that the patient said about you: “I remember on Thanksgiving when you came into my room with a handmade turkey. Who wants to be alone. Then Christmas came and you made me a hat all red and green out of the pipes or something. Wow, and I was so special (at least you made me feel like that) especially since Covid was so fresh and no family was allowed. You also gave me a nurse teddy bear that everyone wanted to know where I got it cuz they wanted one. Literally, I have thought of you over these past few years, and I am so thankful I had someone spend their precious time with me. You made quite an impression on me.”

Thank you, Lydia, for what you do and the inspiration that you give to our patients and our team.

It is with this kind of compassionate and dedicated care that Kaiser Permanente and the DAISY Foundation present you with this award.

Thank you for all you do.