Honorees and Nominees - Spring 2023

William Bradley, RN
Cardiac Specialty and MCS

I am writing this DAISY Award nomination on behalf of my husband, Will Bradley, who is an LVAD Coordinator at Loma Linda. As a non-clinical person, myself, I didn’t know what a DAISY Award was and had to ask Will. He explained that the award is given to recognize nurses who exemplify the art of nursing care and compassion. I asked him if he had ever one a DAISY Award and he said, “No. But it’s okay. I don’t like people making a fuss over me.”

When I saw the stories on the One Portal about some nurses that had recently won DAISY awards I decided to read them and I was struck by something—all of the nurses that were recognized were nominated because of things that they did while on the job in the hospital. I realized then that I had to nominate Will. I want him to be recognized for what other people don’t get to see—the passion that he has for his job and the compassion that he shows his patients even after he leaves the hospital each day.

Will has a very close relationship with most of his patients. It is not uncommon for him to get a phone call in the evening or on a weekend from a patient. Sometimes it is a simple problem like a medication refill or a forgotten appointment. Sometimes it is more serious.

I remember one evening, the wife of one of his patient’s called saying that her husband was having a strange alarm related to his batteries. Will went through the steps of troubleshooting over the telephone and finally decided that the problem couldn’t be fixed over the telephone and that it also wasn’t safe for the patient to try and drive to the hospital for fear of power failure and so he left and drove to the patient’s house to investigate. Ultimately, Will was able to resolve the problem and no harm came to the patient, but he was gone for four hours. When he got home, I apologized for him having to leave so late and he just shrugged it off, “I’d rather go and have it turn out to be nothing than have something bad happen. I couldn’t live with myself”, was his response.

Another time, when we still lived in Colorado, one of Will’s elderly patients had gone to live at the Denver Hospice and one evening, Will got a call from the woman’s daughter who was quite hysterical. She told Will that her mom was very close to death and that she just couldn’t be there to see her mom pass away but that she also didn’t want her mom to die “alone” with “nurses who were strangers”. The two women apparently had no other friends or family in Colorado and basically had only each other so Will went to the hospice and pulled up a chair and sat with his patient. Will played re-runs of the Price is Right for his patient because it was her favorite show and sat with her until she died later that night. He came home just before midnight and went to bed without saying anything and then got up at the usual time the next day and went to work.

I think that Will’s supervisor and colleagues are aware that he is dedicated to his job because they see the long hours that he works, but I don’t know if they see the passion that he has for his work or the compassion that he has for his patients that doesn’t end when he leaves the hospital each day. He truly goes above and beyond to help people live their best life with an LVAD and he exemplifies the mission, vision, and values of Loma Linda University Medical Center.

~ Honoree’s spouse & hospital staff member

Carlota Contreras, BSN, RN
11A Medical/Cardiac Care

I would like to nominate Carlota Contreras for this award because she is not only an exceptional nurse, but also an exceptional and caring human being. In a facility that has many great nurses she stands out! Carlota not only provided me with excellent medical care, during my stay, she also provided me with emotional support. The first time I encountered Carlota she wasn’t even the nurse assigned to me. My nurse was busy with another patient, however, Carlota stepped right in to help her colleague and made sure as dispatch arrived to pick me up for a procedure that I had everything I needed to make me comfortable, but also that the dispatcher had all the information they needed as well. I was nervous and she squeezed my hand and assured me that it would be fine and that meant so much. I was sent off with a smile and a laugh and that made all the difference. When I did have the privilege of being her patient, she made sure my severe pain was under control and I was able to have the most comfortable day I had had in months of chronic pain. Every day she was my nurse this was the case, lifting my spirits with a laugh as well as staying on top of my care. On a particularly bad day she was a great support to me emotionally as well. I had reached a breaking point where I had been stuck with so many needles and procedure complications, I was feeling completely hopeless. None of my family or friends were there. She took the time to stay with me, listen to me cry, and provided the shoulder I needed to cry on. By the second time I had met her I felt like she was an old friend I could trust and confide in. Carlota also helped me find my voice to advocate for myself when otherwise I wouldn’t have. A feeding tube was inserted in an area when I was under anesthesia that I had specifically asked not to be used. I suffer from severe allergies and having the tube in my nose and down my throat was an impossible situation. When I initially tried to verbalize this, I felt pushback and intimidation from the physicians to keep it in place. Once again when Carlota was not even my assigned nurse, she popped her head in to say hi and found me crying and feeling helpless. She took the time to reassure me that I had a right to receive the care I was comfortable with and gave me the confidence I needed to advocate for myself and my medical needs. Later when the tube was removed my condition improved greatly. Once again Carlota went above and beyond. I truly believe Carlota has been a great contributor to my recovery, and I am grateful to her for making a difference in my care.

~  Patient

Tami Torres - 10A Cardiac Progressive Care
Valerie Lopez - 11A Medical/Cardiac Care
George Fernandez - 11A Medical/Cardiac Care
Elbert Hugh Vincent Lim - 11A Medical/Cardiac Care
Alexis Keller - 11A Medical/Cardiac Care
Erika Salazar - 11A Medical/Cardiac Care
Kelle Casas - 11A Medical/Cardiac Care
Julie Rael - 12A Medical Progressive Care
ina Ahmed - 12A Medical Progressive Care
Salomo Sihombing - 13A Neuroscience Progressive Care
Samantha Burger and Alexandra Hutauruk - 13A Neuroscience Progressive Care
Stephanie Solorio - 14A Surgical Care
Donald Kearney - 14A Surgical Care
Albert-Jerald Arce - 14A Surgical Care
Fernando Padilla - 15A Surgical Care
Barbara Garcia - 6A Oncology/Transplant
Michelle Tucker - 6A Oncology/Transplant
Bill Bragado - 6A Oncology/Transplant
Kevin Pham - 6A Oncology/Transplant
Michelel Tucker - 6A Oncology/Transplant
Cindy Olmedo - 6A Oncology/Transplant
Zachary Yanez - 7A Surgical, Trauma, Transplant, and Neuroscience ICU
Kyle Lutter - 7A Surgical, Trauma, Transplant, and Neuroscience ICU
Caitlyn Genobaga - 7A Surgical, Trauma, Transplant, and Neuroscience ICU
Andre Yanez - 7A Surgical, Trauma, Transplant, and Neuroscience ICU
Stephanie Russell - 7A Surgical, Trauma, Transplant, and Neuroscience ICU

Melissa Peterson - 7A Surgical, Trauma, Transplant, and Neuroscience ICU
Ludmilla Doyle - 7A Surgical, Trauma, Transplant, and Neuroscience ICU
Andre Yanez - 7A Surgical, Trauma, Transplant, and Neuroscience ICU
Sara Uribe - 7A Surgical, Trauma, Transplant, and Neuroscience ICU
Kyndra Peterson - 7A Surgical, Trauma, Transplant, and Neuroscience ICU
Kacy Oliva - 7A Surgical, Trauma, Transplant, and Neuroscience ICU
Janis Acdan - 7A Surgical, Trauma, Transplant, and Neuroscience ICU
John Soliza - 7A Surgical, Trauma, Transplant, and Neuroscience ICU
Samuel Gracia - 9A Cardiac/Cardiothoracic ICU
Alan Wong - 9A Cardiac/Cardiothoracic ICU

Adam Curtis - Adult Emergency Department
Anton Pishchanetskiy - Adult Emergency Department
Shawn Kratofil - Adult Emergency Department
Daniel Duran - Adult Emergency Department
Ashlyn Trimble - Adult Emergency Department
Cynthia Rochin - Adult Emergency Department
Ben Wallace - Adult Emergency Department
Jeffrey Clarke - Beaumont Cancer Center
Ana Morales - Cardiac Perianesthesia Care Unit
Barry Wilson - Dialysis Apheresis Resource Team (DART)
Ralph June Alabat - GI Lab
Ingrid Gonzalez - Supplemental Staffing Network
Lidia Serban - UH Recovery Room

Lisa Johnson, BSN, RN
3700 Neonatal ICU

Our daughter was born 6 weeks prematurely due to severe preeclampsia. She was born with minimal health issues but struggled with feeding. The early weeks in the NICU felt very impersonal, there was a different nurse almost every shift and frankly the NICU environment is very draining with the necessary protocols to keep the preemies safe. We unfortunately had several misunderstandings that affected my husband and me. We felt our parental role diminished and traumatized by some misunderstandings. Our negative experiences caused some anxiety and I dreaded to visit every evening but would still wearily walk through the NICU doors to snuggle and care for our baby. One evening I encountered Lisa Johnson, a nurse on evening shift, she was kind and very proficient. We chatted and I shared some of the negative experiences encountered. She volunteered to be our baby’s primary nurse which would provide some continuous care for our baby which we desperately needed. Our baby even though healthy and breathing room air was not meeting the feeding standards and required feedings to be lavaged through an NG tube. I was impressed and greatly relieved Lisa volunteered to be our primary nurse. Lisa has a sweet tender touch with the babies that helped put my anxious mama fears at ease. Lisa would take her time and really work with my daughter’s feeding. She managed to improve my daughter’s nippling percentage and encouraged me to put my daughter to breast. After having continuous care and some advocating for my daughter, she began to thrive and really improve! I truly think this was due to Lisa’s care. Being a NICU nurse is uniquely taxing as they care for not only a vulnerable neonate but are also indirectly caring for the parental team. Lisa’s consistency in caring for my child and her kindness towards me helped prevent me from going into a mentally dark place where I wanted to isolate myself and avoid the NICU. A preemie needs their caregivers to be at their best and Lisa not only cared for my daughter but myself and for this will be forever grateful.

~ Patient’s parent

Terri Thompson, DNP, RN
Supplemental Staffing Network for Maternity Services

My sister was in labor and delivery having her first baby. It was a very rough night. The doctors and nurses kept coming in and telling us that my sister might need a C-section because the baby's heart rate kept dropping. We were very anxious and nervous and didn't know what we should expect. In the morning, a nurse named Terri came into the room to take care of my sister. She had a lot of experience and was very calm. She made everybody in the room feel calm. She sat next to my sister and talked to her about what is important for her for the day. When she came in to check on my sister, she would make sure that she asked her how she was doing and how she was feeling. Terri told us that we could get vouchers in the cafeteria so that we would not have to leave my sister and we could stay in the room, that was helpful and made my mother feel much better. We had a good day, and my sister did not have to have a c-section. My sister didn't end up having the baby by the time Terri went home and she cried when Terri had to leave. Terri is the best nurse we've ever had. She is a wonderful person and nurse. I haven't met anyone more kind or caring. She talked to everyone in the room. She included me and my mom in helping my sister. She had a funny sense of humor and made us laugh. I hope that she will be there when I have my baby and can be my nurse. I would love to see her again.

~ Patient’s family member

Vanessa Reyes – 4700 Pediatric Intermediate Step Down
Shanyce Moore – 4700 Pediatric Intermediate Step Down
David Vogel – 4800 Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
Marisol Zarate – 5700 Pediatric ICU
Danny Pech – 5700 Pediatric ICU
Clarissa Ramirez – 5700 Pediatric ICU
Katelyn Aguirre – 5800 Pediatric Cardiothoracic ICU
Rachel Tomason – 5800 Pediatric Cardiothoracic ICU
Nicole Diaz – 7C & 8C Acute Care Pediatrics
Erica Banta – 9C Acute Care Adolescents and Neurology

Kimberly Doratt – 9C Acute Care Adolescents and Neurology
Sasha Agapito-Garcia – 9C Acute Care Adolescents and Neurology
Theresa Doran – CH Transport Team
Mala Trott – Maternity Services
Katharine Starkus – Maternity Services
Taylor Stewart – Pediatric Cardiac Perianesthesia Care
Ashlyn Timrble – Pediatric Emergency Department
Deanne Smart – Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Clinic
Cristina Hamlin – Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Clinic
Christine Lee – Supplemental Staffing Network
Desiree Ortega – Supplemental Staffing Network

Melissa Diaz, BSN, RN, PMH-BC
IP Substance Abuse and Recovery

Melissa is the backbone of the Substance Use Recovery (SUR) team at the BMC. For the past ten years, she has given 110% to each and every one of her patients. She goes above and beyond to ensure that their safety, comfort, and health are top priority. If you cannot find her on the floor, it's because she's with her patients listening to their stories, educating them on their medication, and offering words of support and encouragement. I recall a time when the SUR unit had a woman in her eighties who came for alcohol detox. The patient was given an assignment to process the experiences of her past and the connection they had to her substance use. The patient became incredibly emotional recalling her past and Melissa heard her crying and went to her room. For the next thirty minutes, Melissa sat with that patient and held her hand and let her share her story. After the woman finished sharing the trauma of her past, I remember her looking at Melissa and saying "I have never said that out loud to anyone. Thank you sitting with me and making me feel safe. It feels good to get that off my chest." This story sums up Melissa. She allows each of her patients to feel heard, understood, and safe these things are essential to the healing process. I am nominating Melissa for the DAISY Award because she exemplifies what an RN should be, especially an RN that works for Loma Linda University Health.

~ Staff

Top DAISY Nominees

• Lisa Zavala - Intake

Yvonne Fankhanel, BSN, RN, CWOCN
Advanced Practice Wound Care & Ostomy

Compassion is demonstrated differently by different people, and while we most commonly associate compassion with tenderness or sweetness, one of the most important ways nurses show kind-heartedness and concern for patients is through patient advocacy and problem-solving. I am nominating Yvonne Fankhanel for the DAISY award because of her tenacious patient advocacy and patient-centered care.

I'd like to share some examples of how Yvonne embodies compassionate care through patient advocacy: Yvonne was on an adult care unit in the Vintage Hospital consulting on a patient. She noticed a distressed-looking visitor standing in the doorway to a patient's room. Yvonne approached the visitor and asked if she could help. The visitor explained that she was gravely concerned about her mother's safety as she was blind and had no call light at the bedside. The daughter of the patient was upset because she needed to leave the unit but didn't want to leave her mother without a way to communicate her needs. Yvonne asked unit staff to find a call light for the patient and promised the family member she would stay with her mother until a call light could be installed. The family member was able to leave, knowing her mother was cared for. When staff were unable to find a call light, Yvonne continued to pursue the issue, tracking down and speaking to multiple unit leaders, until a call light was installed in the room.

Another example of Yvonne's advocacy and patient-centered care involves a patient with a complex abdominal fistula. Because of the complexity of the patient's condition that led to fistula formation, physician teams would stabilize her medical needs (electrolytes and hydration, blood pressure) but did not pursue surgical interventions for her impossible stoma. The patient was in constant terrible pain because of the wound surrounding her fistula, and seriously demoralized because of the intractability and seeming hopelessness of her situation. The patient couldn't eat and was isolated at home. After multiple failed creative ostomy care interventions from our team, Yvonne talked to one of the ACS surgeons and passionately pleaded the case for a stoma revision for the patient. Because of the trust the surgeon has in Yvonne from other similar cases, the surgeon revised the stoma and the WOC team was able to more successfully manage the fistula. Of course, nothing is perfect, and the patient continued to have stoma-related issues and hospitalizations. Each time the patient was re-admitted, Yvonne worked tirelessly to evaluate and trial multiple ostomy appliances, calling several vendors and requesting product samples. As the patient's mental health wavered, Yvonne was compassionate and relentlessly optimistic in her approach, allowing the patient and her daughter to draw strength and confidence both from the success of the pouching intervention and from Yvonne's optimism and tenacity. Sometimes the best medicine for chronic illness is knowing someone is fighting your corner and hopeful for success. The patient continues to show improvement, has not been admitted recently, and had a more hopeful and optimistic outlook upon her last discharge.

~ Fellow Nurse

Top DAISY Nominees

• Rachel Sanchez – Advanced Practice Services - Pediatrics

Kelly Robinson, BSN, RN
Medical Telemetry

One day, Kelly’s dad was at work and suddenly noticed that his coffee was leaking out of the left side of his face when he took a sip. Then he stood up and his left arm and leg were both going numb. He knew he was having a stroke.

Kelly started her nursing career with the intention of becoming a Labor & Delivery nurse. She initially wanted to apply at Loma Linda Murrieta because it is close to home, but back then the hospital was only hiring nurses with 2 years of experience. She ended up working in a stroke unit at a different hospital because she thought, “Hey, I could do stroke nursing, that’s personal to me”. Her grandfather had disabling strokes and refused to do any of the therapy, so she wanted to make it her passion to encourage stroke patients to do rehab to get stronger. Strokes became her passion and she got her SCRN (Stroke Certified Registered Nurse) certification because she wanted to become the best stroke nurse she could be. After 9 years of learning all she could from a Comprehensive Stroke Hospital, she applied to Loma Linda Murrieta to take everything she learned to her local community because she wanted to make a difference here where her family and friends would be going to the hospital for their emergencies.

Back to Kelly’s dad. He was at work when his stroke happened. He asked his co-worker to drive him to Kaiser. At this time, he also noticed that his left arm and leg were getting weaker. Kelly was at work when her mom texted her saying that her dad might be having a stroke and is on his way to Kaiser. So, she called her dad immediately and told him he can’t go to Kaiser because it’s an Urgent Care and they don’t treat strokes. She told him to pull over and call 9-1-1 to activate the emergency response team. Kelly told him to hand the phone to his co-worker so she could talk to him. The co-worker asked Kelly if they should just go to Loma Linda’s Emergency’s Room. She told him YES! Then she called our House Supervisor and asked her how to activate a code stroke when her Dad was coming to the emergency room, but he was not in an ambulance. She told Kelly to tell her Dad to walk in the ED and tell them that he was having a stroke. Kelly called her Dad and passed the message off. The co-worker dropped him off in front of the ED and told him, “Hey boss, I hope whoever you’re seeing is going to be okay!” (Kelly’s dad never told the co-worker he was having a stroke because he didn’t want to make him panic).

He came in at the ED and told them he was having a stroke. At this point, his left sided weakness was so bad he nearly collapsed into the wheelchair. Kelly heard Code Stroke called at 9:11am over the intercom. At this point, his NIH was a 6 for left arm and left leg some effort against gravity, left facial, and the entire left side of his body was numb. CT was done immediately to rule out bleed. Tele Neuro was consulted. CT negative for bleed. TPA was started by 9:43. Within 15 minutes, Kelly’s dad told us to check out his left arm movement because it was already feeling better. By the time the TPA was finished, his NIH went down to only a 2 for his left face numbness and left facial droop. By the time he got to the ICU, his NIH went down to a 1 by about 4pm for only a left sided facial droop. Kelly’s dad is doing awesome and says he wants to be a poster patient for TPA!

God clearly had His hand all over this situation and clearly orchestrated both of their lives for such a time as this. Thank You Jesus for calling Kelly to be a stroke nurse so that He could use her to help save her dad’s brain. And thank you Jesus for a compliant patient who listens to his daughter…. and paid for her nursing school. He told her this morning that he considers her one of his greatest investments.

~ Anonymous

Top DAISY Nominees

Christina Drob – Medical Telemetry
Paul Woo – Surgery

Nominees

Jason Ciocon – Emergency Department

Floren Lee, ASN, RN
Case Management – Rehab Intake

Floren has been a nurse for many years, she started out as a CNA then later became an RN. She has worked literally in all departments of the medical field; she was even a flight nurse.

I first met Floren in 2011 when I was a new nurse on Unit 9200. From the first time I met her I realized she was an excellent nurse. I remember when she would handoff her patients over to the night shift the patients would be sad to see her go but if they knew she would be coming back to work the next day, they would be so happy because they knew she would potentially be their nurse again. Floren’s main goal has always been to bring joy and laughter to her patients during the most difficult time of their lives. She would do anything to bring a smile to their face by making a joke, dancing, making a silly face. She would sing to them and most importantly pray with them. She loves to be funny, but no one would mistake her funny behavior for being careless because when it came to patient care she is meticulous and made sure all her tasks were done correctly. She never plays with patient safety or with her responsibility to patients and their families. With patient care she demonstrated the Loma Linda values of compassion, excellence, and integrity.

Floren later left unit 9200 and started to work for acute rehab as an admission case manager. I had the privilege of working with her again in acute rehab. In this position she is a true patient advocate, helping patients and their families to get into rehab to improve their outcome after serious illness or injury. Floren excels in this position because she has a no quit attitude, she does everything possible to advocate for patients to get the level of care they deserve to improve their quality of life. The reason why I can vouch that Floren has a “no quit” attitude is because she helped me when my mother became ill and needed acute rehab for her recovery. She advocated and made the transition to acute rehab smooth process. Because of Floren initial advocacy my mother is now independent and has a great quality of life. Aside from all this she is a wonderful colleague, she is always looking to help with all things. Her goal is always to assist in getting patients into rehab even if that means she is taking on extra work. In this area she demonstrates outstanding teamwork and humility.

Floren is well known around Loma Linda University Medical Center. When we walk down the halls it seems as if everyone knows her, and she knows everyone. She acknowledges the doctors, nurses, EVS, transport, dispatch, admissions, every possible employee at Loma Linda, she considers everyone her family. She acknowledges people by their name and will always say something so they can smile. She literally leaves a trail of smiles as we walk the halls. With her interpersonal relationships she demonstrates humility and justice.

I would also like to recognize that when Floren is not at work she does community service, helping seniors to clean their homes, she provides food for those who are in need. She enjoys tutoring the kids in her neighborhood and even with all that she takes care of herself by going walking at the park or Drayson Center. Here she demonstrates wholeness.

Overall, she is an amazing nurse, employee, colleague, and friend. Please consider her for the DAISY Award as this would be the cherry on top of her nursing career.  She has dedicated her life to nursing and caring for others, she lives the Loma Linda values, and the DAISY Award was made to recognize nurses that have a heart like Floren’s

~ Fellow Nurse

Deborah Day – 1100 Acute Rehab
Mary Imperial – 1300 Medical Acute
Jaime Hasler – 1300 Medical Acute
Era Marie Aguinaldo – 1300 Medical Acute
Kennidy Aiden – 1300 Medical Acute
Didi Zebedeus – 1300 Medical Acute
Fritzie Sala – 1300 Medical Acute
Lanette Campagne – 1300 Medical Acute

Maureen McDaniels – 1300 Medical Acute
Savannah Eshelman – 1300 Medical Acute
Ria Sia – 1300 Medical Acute
Emma Artiga – 1300 Medical Acute
Dzikamai Bvundura – 1500 Acute Rehab
Lisa Valle – Advanced Urgent Care
Kimberly Hayes – Advanced Urgent Care
Natalie Sebestyen – Supplemental Staffing Network

Michael Lopez, BSN, RN
Surgical Hospital Perianesthesia

Mike has an amazing heart. He is such a kind and compassionate nurse. On one evening, Mike was getting his patient ready for discharge. He sent his patient's spouse to the pharmacy to pick up prescriptions. Unfortunately, on the way back from the pharmacy the patient's spouse got a flat tire. She was able to make her way to the hospital entrance, however, at this point it was late and the lobby was empty with no one available to help. She made several calls, but she still was not able to find any help. She was in tears and was very frustrated. When Mike heard of her trouble, he didn’t hesitate to offer help. He stepped in and offered to change the tire. Mike successfully changed the tire and got the patient and his family home safely. I want to recognize Mike for going above and beyond. He is a tremendous nurse.

~ Fellow Nurse

Top DAISY Nominees

Estela Smith – Ambulatory Infusion Center
Reylindo Estocada – Ambulatory Infusion Center
Jackquelyn Villanueva – Outpatient Surgery Center

Nominees

Aileen Bayag – 2100 Surgical Acute
Darcee Drumright – 2100 Surgical Acute
Siok Meghan Wilson – Outpatient Surgery Center
Sara Fogal and Cristina Ionel – Outpatient Surgery Center
Daisy Alvarado – SH Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
Abenaa Forbes – SH Operating Room