March 2026
Stephanie
Velardi
,
BSN, RN
MedSurg Oncology
Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
Livingston
,
NJ
United States
Her compassion, attentiveness, and humanity helped carry us through moments that felt impossible. I will always be grateful for the way she cared for my mom and for all of us.
My mother was admitted to the oncology unit, and at the time, our family truly had no idea what we were about to face. We didn’t yet understand that she was declining rapidly or that these would be some of the final days we would have with her.
During two of those incredibly difficult days, Stephanie was our nurse, and her presence made an immeasurable difference. From the moment she came into our lives, Stephanie treated my mom not just as a patient, but as a person. She spoke to her with warmth and dignity, checked on her frequently, and was always attuned to her comfort. She had a calm confidence that immediately made us feel safe; both my mom and our family trusted her deeply.
Stephanie also cared for us as a family. She explained things clearly, answered every question with patience, and made us feel like our concerns mattered. She never rushed us, never dismissed us, and never made us feel like we were in the way. At one point, we joked that she must be our third sister that we did not know about; that’s how naturally she blended into our family during those days.
As my mom’s condition worsened, Stephanie handled everything with such grace and professionalism. There was a moment when a neurologist spoke in a way that was upsetting to our family, and Stephanie stepped in calmly and thoughtfully. She helped de-escalate the situation, ensured that we felt heard, and made sure things were addressed appropriately, all without creating additional stress during an already overwhelming time.
One thing that will always stay with me is that Stephanie lingered a bit after her shift one day, clearly having a hard time leaving my mom. It spoke volumes about the kind of nurse and person she is. She didn’t just clock in and out; she genuinely cared.
Losing my mom was one of the hardest experiences of my life. Having Stephanie as our nurse during those days made it just a little more bearable. Her compassion, attentiveness, and humanity helped carry us through moments that felt impossible. I will always be grateful for the way she cared for my mom and for all of us.
Stephanie embodies everything the DAISY Award stands for. She didn’t just provide excellent nursing care she showed up with heart, presence, and extraordinary kindness when we needed it most.
During two of those incredibly difficult days, Stephanie was our nurse, and her presence made an immeasurable difference. From the moment she came into our lives, Stephanie treated my mom not just as a patient, but as a person. She spoke to her with warmth and dignity, checked on her frequently, and was always attuned to her comfort. She had a calm confidence that immediately made us feel safe; both my mom and our family trusted her deeply.
Stephanie also cared for us as a family. She explained things clearly, answered every question with patience, and made us feel like our concerns mattered. She never rushed us, never dismissed us, and never made us feel like we were in the way. At one point, we joked that she must be our third sister that we did not know about; that’s how naturally she blended into our family during those days.
As my mom’s condition worsened, Stephanie handled everything with such grace and professionalism. There was a moment when a neurologist spoke in a way that was upsetting to our family, and Stephanie stepped in calmly and thoughtfully. She helped de-escalate the situation, ensured that we felt heard, and made sure things were addressed appropriately, all without creating additional stress during an already overwhelming time.
One thing that will always stay with me is that Stephanie lingered a bit after her shift one day, clearly having a hard time leaving my mom. It spoke volumes about the kind of nurse and person she is. She didn’t just clock in and out; she genuinely cared.
Losing my mom was one of the hardest experiences of my life. Having Stephanie as our nurse during those days made it just a little more bearable. Her compassion, attentiveness, and humanity helped carry us through moments that felt impossible. I will always be grateful for the way she cared for my mom and for all of us.
Stephanie embodies everything the DAISY Award stands for. She didn’t just provide excellent nursing care she showed up with heart, presence, and extraordinary kindness when we needed it most.