Gina Shouse, RN, has been a nurse for more than 25 years. She has treated hundreds of patients in her career, but her philosophy is still to treat every patient she cares for as unique and special. Patients recognize it.

Recently, a Sarasota resident undergoing surgery at HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital nominated Shouse for the prestigious DAISY Award. The award is one of the highest honors in nursing, recognizing nurses for providing extraordinary clinical skill and, just as importantly, exceptional compassion.

The patient returned to the hospital after she recovered to recognize Shouse during a special ceremony, saying, “From the moment she walked in, she put me completely at ease. She has a genuine warmth about her. Kind, caring, and attentive, the kind of nurse who makes you feel like you are her only patient…which means more to me than she probably realizes,” said the patient.

The patient also noted that Gina’s positivity, even in the early morning hours, left a lasting impression at a vulnerable time.

For Shouse, this recognition is deeply personal. “This award is the culmination of being a nurse. It means I made an impact. If I were a patient, I would want to be taken care of this way,” she said. “Hearing patients say things like this means I made a big difference in their lives.”