As part of its Third Annual Post-Acute Care Nursing Awards, NYC Health + Hospitals on Friday honored 10 extraordinary nursing professionals from across its five long-term care facilities, including five registered nurses nominated for the DAISY Award and five certified nursing assistants nominated for the in-house BEE Award.

NYC Health + Hospitals said the DAISY Award, sponsored by the DAISY Foundation, is the international leader in nurse recognition. This award recognizes nurses or nurse-led teams who are experts in person-centered care, demonstrate integrity and compassion, and work collaboratively with their peers to achieve the best health outcomes for patients and residents.

In addition to the DAISY Award, NYC Health + Hospitals/Post-Acute Care has implemented a new in-house recognition program called the BEE (Being Exceptional Everyday) Award.

NYC Health + Hospitals said it was established to recognize exceptional caregivers in supportive nursing roles including certified nursing assistants, patient care technicians, patient care associates, and medical surgical technicians.

“These individuals play an integral role on resident care teams, providing care that includes feeding, bathing, grooming, and taking vital signs such as blood pressure and temperature checks,” NYC Health + Hospitals said. “Becoming a certified nursing assistant is a great starting point for anyone interested in becoming a nurse.”

“Our nurses and certified nurse assistants represent all that is good and kind in the world,” said NYC Health + Hospitals Senior Vice President of Post-Acute Care Khoi Luong, DO. “We honor them with the DAISY and BEE awards for the extraordinary dedication and compassion that they demonstrate every day. It is a tribute to their hard work, resilience, and unwavering commitment to patient care and advocacy, ensuring patient safety and wellness.”

“The DAISY Awards are an internationally-recognized honor that celebrates and expresses gratitude to nurses for providing extraordinary compassionate and skillful care to patients and families,” said NYC Health + Hospitals Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive Natalia Cineas, MBA, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, FALDN. “There is a strong and growing alignment between The DAISY Foundation’s mission to recognize, celebrate and honor the dedication and commitment that nurses put into caring for patients and families, and NYC Health + Hospitals vision to serve the needs of the most fragile, vulnerable and disadvantaged members of our society.

“Our own internal BEE Awards extend this recognition and gratitude to the conscientious and steadfast individuals who serve in supportive nursing roles, honoring them for their valuable work as members of our care teams,” she added.

“We are dedicated to giving meaningful recognition to our nurses and nursing staff, expressing our heartfelt gratitude for their untiring dedication and commitment to excellence,” said NYC Health + Hospitals Senior Director of Nursing Excellence/Research Annie George, Ph. D, RN, NEA-BC, NPD-BC, CCRN. “These outstanding team members enhance patient- and family-centered care, making a profound difference in the lives of those we serve in Post-Acute care setting. The phrases ‘care and compassion’ deeply resonate with each of them, making them true role models.”

“The elite DAISY Awards and the new internal BEE Awards honor and recognize the compassionate, kind, and sensitive care provided each and every day by our nursing staff. They continually practice in an environment that embodies the true passion of Florence Nightingale,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Post-Acute Care – Chief Nursing Officer, Marian McNamara, RN, MSN. “They are all so deserving of their award. The future of nursing will surely be bright as they continue to advance the greatest of professions.”

The 2024 DAISY Award and BEE Award honorees include: Linda Robasson, RN – DAISY Award – NYC Health + Hospitals/Carter; Petrona Alexander, MST – BEE Award – NYC Health + Hospitals/Carter; Cufun Lai, RN – DAISY Award – NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler; Windale Palmer, MST – BEE Award – NYC Health + Hospitals/ Coler; Evelin Aviles, RN – DAISY Award – NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur; Myrtle Benn, PCT – BEE Award – NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur; Sherlin Peters, RN – DAISY Award – NYC Health + Hospitals/McKinney; Naromie Paul, PCT – BEE Award – NYC Health + Hospitals/McKinney; Angelica Santos, RN – DAISY Award – NYC Health + Hospitals/Sea View; and Maria Catano, PCT – BEE Award – NYC Health + Hospitals/Sea View.

NYC Health + Hospitals said honorees were nominated by residents, families and staff who shared compelling stories about their day-to-day experiences with these compassion care professionals.