Verenice Castellanos
March 2026
Verenice
Castellanos
,
RN
Emergency Department
Northern Dutchess Hospital
Rhinebec
,
NY
United States
Verenice embodies the true spirit of nursing through her compassion, professionalism, and dedication to her patients’ well-being.
I am honoured to nominate Verenice, RN, for the DAISY Award in recognition of the exceptional care she provided to my 86-year-old grandmother during her recent visit to the Emergency Department. This was my grandmother’s second visit to the ED for the same issue, and understandably, it has been an exhausting and emotional experience for her. From the moment Verenice began caring for her, she demonstrated not only clinical excellence but also extraordinary compassion and attentiveness. Verenice went above and beyond to ensure my grandmother was comfortable, both physically and emotionally. She checked in frequently to assess her pain, needs, and overall well-being. More importantly, she treated her with genuine warmth and respect. She took the time to make her laugh, to speak kindly to her, and to reassure her during a vulnerable time. One gesture that deeply touched our family was when Verenice brought my grandmother a comb so she could fix her hair. It may seem small, but it meant everything. In a setting that can feel overwhelming and unfamiliar, that simple act helped restore her sense of dignity and comfort. It showed that Verenice sees her patients as people first, not just medical cases. As a family member, I found tremendous peace of mind knowing that my grandmother was in such caring and capable hands. Verenice embodies the true spirit of nursing through her compassion, professionalism, and dedication to her patients’ well-being. We are profoundly grateful for the care she provided and believe she is more than deserving of this recognition. With sincere appreciation, Robbie Fleming