Jose Herrera
February 2024
Jose
Herrera
,
MSN, CNL
Otolaryngology Head and Neck Clinic
UCSF Medical Center
San Francisco
,
CA
United States
Beyond his professional skills, Jose possesses a profound empathy for our patients. His ability to address their questions and concerns goes beyond routine care; he strives to make each patient feel heard and supported. Jose's dedication to going above and beyond for those under our care is truly inspiring.
Since the end of February 2023 my condition has flared up significantly requiring laser surgeries, ER visits and an IR Neuro Radiology Embolization. I needed to send messages to my doctor and this is how I met Jose. Jose very promptly responded to my numerous questions, and urgent messages, and reached out to the Team and scheduler because I required laser surgery quickly, and to alert them and meet me when I needed to go to ER. Jose is very professional, compassionate and extremely helpful with resources to assist a patient in need. I am very grateful for Jose.
***
Jose is a constant source of positive energy during the clinic day for patients, for clinicians and for staff in all of his interactions. He always displays compassion and the highest level of understanding towards all people that he works with. He is always willing to help patients in communications through phone calls, discussions with clinicians, staffing for appointments, and with pharmacy for prescriptions. His can-do attitude, willingness to go the extra-mile every day, and empathetic communication style make him a true role model for the entire OHNS faculty practice including staff, nurses, and faculty!
***
Many of our postoperative patients struggle with instructions and postoperative pain care. Jose routinely checks-in with them and coaches them through the first few weeks after surgery. Often, during the post-operative visit, patients will return and ask about him. Jose is also excited to meet them in person. He asks appropriate questions and is always wanting to learn more. He created a much needed patient informational video to instruct on how to perform nasal rinses at home – this video is used by all of our patients and has even educated clinicians in other specialties as well! It is this dedicated and consistent, daily approach to compassionate patient care and interactions with the clinical team that makes him a DAISY Nurse.
***
Jose Herrera embodies all aspects of the DAISY Award. He is truly committed to improving the quality of care for our Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery patients. His commitment to teamwork, positive attitude, excellent communication skills, and genuine care for patients and their families make him a wonderful colleague and an invaluable asset to our team.
Jose always goes above and beyond. I can think of many of my post-surgical patients who have struggled with the recovery from tonsillectomy and palate surgery, but they made it through thanks to Jose’s regular phone calls, clinical expertise and encouraging words. Even when our patients are overwhelmed, he takes the time to review all instructions with them and their family members, explaining the medical condition and treatment options in a way that was easily understood. He listens attentively to concerns and offers appropriate comfort and support when needed.
He has also developed a project to improve pain management after our surgeries. This project included working with a team of Otolaryngologists to develop a new post-operative pain instruction sheet. Then he worked with Epic programmers to make it available for our entire department and he is now surveying patients on their satisfaction with pain control and pain instructions so we can continue to improve this. During this project, he independently conducted research on current pain management techniques after Otolaryngologic surgeries. In summary, Jose possesses exceptional qualities as a team player. His compassion, dedication, proactive nature, and clinical acumen make him a true asset to our clinic.
***
Jose is known for his high standard of performance. Jose cares for patients and family members with respect and dignity. Jose is always courteous and helpful, respected and appreciated by his peers and providers. He often goes the extra step to make sure the patients and family members are comfortable, secure, and happy with their experience.
I appreciate Jose’s smile when I see him, despite all of the stressors in clinic. His calm and collected demeanor results in patients and families feeling welcomed and acknowledged.
Faculty have asked Jose to participate in Quality & Safety improvement projects as they have every confidence in his clinical knowledge and ability to assist with implementation of initiatives, always taking into consideration impacts to patients and staff. The DAISY Award is special, and Jose very much deserves a special acknowledgment.
***
Since joining our practice, Jose has consistently exemplified the qualities of an extraordinary nurse, making an indelible impact on our clinical and administrative teams.
One of the remarkable attributes that sets Jose apart is his exceptional ability to foster camaraderie among our staff. His affable nature and approachable demeanor create a positive and collaborative atmosphere that transcends throughout the entire practice.
Jose has become the go-to person for staff, patients, and providers alike, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to meeting the needs of those around him. His communication skills are exemplary, marked by clarity and efficiency, and he ensures that the loop is closed on all communications, leaving no room for ambiguity.
I have had the privilege of working closely with Jose on several occasions, and his dedication to patient care is truly commendable. In one particular instance, we encountered a patient with transportation barriers due to living a considerable distance away. Jose collaborated tirelessly to identify a local Otolaryngologist who could provide the necessary care. Not only did he facilitate the patient's access to medical services, but he also provided clear instructions for post-operative care, ensuring continuity until our surgeon could follow up. This is just one example of Jose's resourcefulness and commitment to finding solutions for our patients.
Beyond his professional skills, Jose possesses a profound empathy for our patients. His ability to address their questions and concerns goes beyond routine care; he strives to make each patient feel heard and supported. Jose's dedication to going above and beyond for those under our care is truly inspiring.
What sets Jose apart is his willingness to take on any challenge with a positive attitude. He never hesitates to lend a helping hand or take on additional responsibilities. His collaborative spirit and can-do attitude have made him a cherished and invaluable member of our clinic.
In light of his outstanding contributions to our practice and the lives of our patients, I wholeheartedly nominate Jose Herrera for the DAISY Award. His compassion, dedication, and exemplary service make him an ideal candidate, and I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this recognition. Thank you for considering Jose Herrera for this prestigious award. I am confident that his contributions will continue to make a lasting impact on our practice and the patients we serve.
***
Jose has been an absolute pillar of our nursing staff, taking on projects that improve patient care, streamline the electronic medical record, patient education, and material for nasal irrigation. He even served as a model for the demonstration of nasal irrigation, creating a video for distribution!
Jose is a clear communicator, takes on responsibility and follows it to completion. Rarely a day goes by in clinic, where I don’t receive a complement on his skills and compassion.
He has the patience of Job and, in one particular instance, fielded phone calls nearly every hour for someone who was anxious about a result. He did this without complaint or even without my knowledge.
On another occasion, another anxious patient was calling regarding a perceived sinus problem. We were able to coordinate discussion, through Jose, to put all providers on the same page to gain a resolution and treatment plan. Always pleasant, always competent, always ready. I can think of no one more deserving for this award!
***
Jose is a constant source of positive energy during the clinic day for patients, for clinicians and for staff in all of his interactions. He always displays compassion and the highest level of understanding towards all people that he works with. He is always willing to help patients in communications through phone calls, discussions with clinicians, staffing for appointments, and with pharmacy for prescriptions. His can-do attitude, willingness to go the extra-mile every day, and empathetic communication style make him a true role model for the entire OHNS faculty practice including staff, nurses, and faculty!
***
Many of our postoperative patients struggle with instructions and postoperative pain care. Jose routinely checks-in with them and coaches them through the first few weeks after surgery. Often, during the post-operative visit, patients will return and ask about him. Jose is also excited to meet them in person. He asks appropriate questions and is always wanting to learn more. He created a much needed patient informational video to instruct on how to perform nasal rinses at home – this video is used by all of our patients and has even educated clinicians in other specialties as well! It is this dedicated and consistent, daily approach to compassionate patient care and interactions with the clinical team that makes him a DAISY Nurse.
***
Jose Herrera embodies all aspects of the DAISY Award. He is truly committed to improving the quality of care for our Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery patients. His commitment to teamwork, positive attitude, excellent communication skills, and genuine care for patients and their families make him a wonderful colleague and an invaluable asset to our team.
Jose always goes above and beyond. I can think of many of my post-surgical patients who have struggled with the recovery from tonsillectomy and palate surgery, but they made it through thanks to Jose’s regular phone calls, clinical expertise and encouraging words. Even when our patients are overwhelmed, he takes the time to review all instructions with them and their family members, explaining the medical condition and treatment options in a way that was easily understood. He listens attentively to concerns and offers appropriate comfort and support when needed.
He has also developed a project to improve pain management after our surgeries. This project included working with a team of Otolaryngologists to develop a new post-operative pain instruction sheet. Then he worked with Epic programmers to make it available for our entire department and he is now surveying patients on their satisfaction with pain control and pain instructions so we can continue to improve this. During this project, he independently conducted research on current pain management techniques after Otolaryngologic surgeries. In summary, Jose possesses exceptional qualities as a team player. His compassion, dedication, proactive nature, and clinical acumen make him a true asset to our clinic.
***
Jose is known for his high standard of performance. Jose cares for patients and family members with respect and dignity. Jose is always courteous and helpful, respected and appreciated by his peers and providers. He often goes the extra step to make sure the patients and family members are comfortable, secure, and happy with their experience.
I appreciate Jose’s smile when I see him, despite all of the stressors in clinic. His calm and collected demeanor results in patients and families feeling welcomed and acknowledged.
Faculty have asked Jose to participate in Quality & Safety improvement projects as they have every confidence in his clinical knowledge and ability to assist with implementation of initiatives, always taking into consideration impacts to patients and staff. The DAISY Award is special, and Jose very much deserves a special acknowledgment.
***
Since joining our practice, Jose has consistently exemplified the qualities of an extraordinary nurse, making an indelible impact on our clinical and administrative teams.
One of the remarkable attributes that sets Jose apart is his exceptional ability to foster camaraderie among our staff. His affable nature and approachable demeanor create a positive and collaborative atmosphere that transcends throughout the entire practice.
Jose has become the go-to person for staff, patients, and providers alike, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to meeting the needs of those around him. His communication skills are exemplary, marked by clarity and efficiency, and he ensures that the loop is closed on all communications, leaving no room for ambiguity.
I have had the privilege of working closely with Jose on several occasions, and his dedication to patient care is truly commendable. In one particular instance, we encountered a patient with transportation barriers due to living a considerable distance away. Jose collaborated tirelessly to identify a local Otolaryngologist who could provide the necessary care. Not only did he facilitate the patient's access to medical services, but he also provided clear instructions for post-operative care, ensuring continuity until our surgeon could follow up. This is just one example of Jose's resourcefulness and commitment to finding solutions for our patients.
Beyond his professional skills, Jose possesses a profound empathy for our patients. His ability to address their questions and concerns goes beyond routine care; he strives to make each patient feel heard and supported. Jose's dedication to going above and beyond for those under our care is truly inspiring.
What sets Jose apart is his willingness to take on any challenge with a positive attitude. He never hesitates to lend a helping hand or take on additional responsibilities. His collaborative spirit and can-do attitude have made him a cherished and invaluable member of our clinic.
In light of his outstanding contributions to our practice and the lives of our patients, I wholeheartedly nominate Jose Herrera for the DAISY Award. His compassion, dedication, and exemplary service make him an ideal candidate, and I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this recognition. Thank you for considering Jose Herrera for this prestigious award. I am confident that his contributions will continue to make a lasting impact on our practice and the patients we serve.
***
Jose has been an absolute pillar of our nursing staff, taking on projects that improve patient care, streamline the electronic medical record, patient education, and material for nasal irrigation. He even served as a model for the demonstration of nasal irrigation, creating a video for distribution!
Jose is a clear communicator, takes on responsibility and follows it to completion. Rarely a day goes by in clinic, where I don’t receive a complement on his skills and compassion.
He has the patience of Job and, in one particular instance, fielded phone calls nearly every hour for someone who was anxious about a result. He did this without complaint or even without my knowledge.
On another occasion, another anxious patient was calling regarding a perceived sinus problem. We were able to coordinate discussion, through Jose, to put all providers on the same page to gain a resolution and treatment plan. Always pleasant, always competent, always ready. I can think of no one more deserving for this award!