Sarah Cheung
August 2025
Sarah
Cheung
,
BSN, RN
Maternal Child
Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley
Pleasanton
,
CA
United States
I've never felt more vulnerable, and yet, she made me feel strong, safe, and heard. She gave me back my strength and voice when I thought I had none.
I would like to nominate Sarah for the DAISY Award because she embodies everything you hope for in a nurse: professionalism, expertise, kindness, empathy, and dedication to patient-centered, trauma-informed care. From the moment she entered the room, Sarah treated me with deep respect. She communicated at eye level, checked in often, and made sure I felt seen, heard, and safe. During one of the most vulnerable moments of my life, she moved slowly and carefully. When she asked for consent during cervical checks and communicated throughout the process, she put me at ease - it was a simple gesture that I didn't realize I so greatly needed until she offered it.
Her approach wasn't just clinical; it was healing. Sarah quickly built trust, not just with me, but with my partner as well. She actively included him in conversations, invited him to participate in comforting me, and made sure we both felt like valued parts of the care team.
At one point during my long labor, Sarah's shift ended. When she returned the following day, it felt like Mary Poppins had arrived! She anticipated my needs before I could articulate them - managing my pain, cleaning me up, rotating me when I couldn't move, and offering broth, popsicles, and Jello. (She apologized for the orange Jello, but in that moment, it was the best thing I had ever tasted.) I hadn't felt that much comfort or relief in 20 hours.
Even after the delivery, Sarah continued to look after us, ensuring all three of us were comfortable and in the care of excellent follow-up nurses. At one point, she noticed I was in emotional distress and gently checked in. Her support didn't stop when the baby arrived - she continued to see the whole picture. Labor and delivery are always intense, but for me, this was layered with fear and trauma from my first birth experience two years prior. I had tried to prepare myself by speaking with my doctor, and although my husband helped where he could, nothing eased my anxiety like Sarah did. I've never felt more vulnerable, and yet, she made me feel strong, safe, and heard. She gave me back my strength and voice when I thought I had none. For that, she fully deserves this award.
Her approach wasn't just clinical; it was healing. Sarah quickly built trust, not just with me, but with my partner as well. She actively included him in conversations, invited him to participate in comforting me, and made sure we both felt like valued parts of the care team.
At one point during my long labor, Sarah's shift ended. When she returned the following day, it felt like Mary Poppins had arrived! She anticipated my needs before I could articulate them - managing my pain, cleaning me up, rotating me when I couldn't move, and offering broth, popsicles, and Jello. (She apologized for the orange Jello, but in that moment, it was the best thing I had ever tasted.) I hadn't felt that much comfort or relief in 20 hours.
Even after the delivery, Sarah continued to look after us, ensuring all three of us were comfortable and in the care of excellent follow-up nurses. At one point, she noticed I was in emotional distress and gently checked in. Her support didn't stop when the baby arrived - she continued to see the whole picture. Labor and delivery are always intense, but for me, this was layered with fear and trauma from my first birth experience two years prior. I had tried to prepare myself by speaking with my doctor, and although my husband helped where he could, nothing eased my anxiety like Sarah did. I've never felt more vulnerable, and yet, she made me feel strong, safe, and heard. She gave me back my strength and voice when I thought I had none. For that, she fully deserves this award.