June 2026 Honoree
Monniza Sarona, BSN, RN, IIWCC
I would like to recognize Monniza Sarona for her extraordinary compassion, clinical excellence, and selfless dedication to both her patients and colleagues.
Following heavy rainfall in Al Ain that led to widespread flooding, Monniza demonstrated courage far beyond her professional role. She personally helped rescue two of her colleagues whose homes were flooded up to waist level, assisting them in safely evacuating and transferring to a secure location. She then opened her own home to temporarily accommodate one of them while alternative housing was being arranged.
Despite the ongoing situation, Monniza later learned that another colleague from the night shift was stranded, walking for miles along flooded roads due to the absence of available transportation. Without hesitation, she went out again, located her colleague, rescued her, and ensured she was brought home safely. This act alone reflects her genuine care for others, even outside the workplace.
In her professional practice, Monniza exemplifies clinical excellence and professional growth. She was the first direct care nurse in our facility to complete a specialty course in wound care. Because of this achievement, she became a key example in our ANCC Pathway to Excellence application, specifically supporting our elements of performance related to specialty certification. Her accomplishment directly contributed to our ability to demonstrate how the organization supports nurses in advancing their expertise.
She continues to elevate our organization through her professional contributions. Monniza represented our facility at a wound care conference in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and recently developed an abstract related to the reduction of MASD that was presented in Bradford, United Kingdom. Through these achievements, she has showcased the quality, safety, and excellence of care we provide, bringing recognition to our organization on an international level.
Monniza embraces change and leadership with remarkable resilience. When a new process required a Registered Nurse instead of a caregiver to accompany ambulance transfers, she was among the first to accept the challenge. During ambulance group meetings, she advocated for her colleagues by openly voicing their concerns and helping improve the process for both staff and patient safety.
In addition, when Villa 5 reopened and required staffing, Monniza willingly stepped forward. This meant leaving the villa she had been part of for nearly two years and starting again in a newly opened villa that still required significant preparation. Despite these challenges, she maintained a consistently positive and calm disposition. Her resilience and willingness to step out of her comfort zone reflect her deep commitment to the organization and to patient care.
Her impact on patients and families is equally remarkable. She is well-loved and trusted, especially in difficult situations. In one case, she supported a patient transitioning to home care where the family was initially overwhelmed and hesitant to engage in education. Recognizing this, Monniza, together with the therapy team, personally visited the home to provide hands-on guidance and support. She involved the patient’s wife and daughter in the care, teaching them essential skills such as repositioning techniques, pressure injury prevention, and safe medication administration. Through her patience and dedication, she helped the family feel more supported and better prepared to care for their loved one.
In another instance, a family requested to apply a homemade honey-based mixture to a Stage 3 sacral pressure injury. Recognizing the potential risks, Monniza, as a wound care–trained nurse, took the initiative to educate the family on evidence-based wound management. She respectfully explained the implications of inappropriate treatment and guided them through the recommended care plan.
Through her patience and expertise, the family agreed to follow the appropriate treatment approach. Although this required ongoing reinforcement, Monniza’s consistent education and advocacy helped align the family more closely with safe, evidence-based practices, ultimately improving the patient’s care and safety.
Her positive presence is also felt by those she cares for. One patient’s family member shared that they appreciate Monniza for always smiling and creating a warm, reassuring environment. Another patient expressed a preference for Monniza to perform wound care, describing how gentle she is and how the procedure was done without causing any pain. These simple yet meaningful expressions reflect the trust and comfort she brings to her patients and their families.
Monniza consistently prioritizes patient safety and outcomes above all else. I remember a message she once shared with the team that truly reflects her mindset: “There are times when I feel overwhelmed, but I am thankful for the support of my colleagues. Sometimes my documentation gets delayed because I prioritize my patients’ needs and medications first. But no matter how busy I am at the bedside, I am happy with the care we provide. My goal is always their safety—no falls, no harm, and good patient outcomes.”
“Even during very demanding shifts with multiple responsibilities, we never complain—we stay positive, support each other, and choose to enjoy the day while giving our best for our patients.”
This is not just something she says—it is how she practices every single day.
Beyond patient care, Monniza’s compassion extends quietly into everything she does for others. I have personally witnessed this in moments that often go unseen. On one of our days off, she accompanied me to purchase groceries for holiday hampers for our housekeeping staff. We went to multiple stores late into the night, carefully selecting items to maximize what we could provide using limited donated funds. Even past midnight, she remained committed—personally driving back to ProVita to ensure the items were safely delivered and ready for preparation.
She demonstrates the same dedication in community initiatives. When volunteers were requested for a breast cancer awareness campaign at Luana Fitness Center, only a few responded—and she was one of them. Without hesitation, she traveled with us to AUH on her day off to help educate the community on early detection and prevention.
She also played a key role in the preparation for the ANCC Pathway to Excellence Fair, accompanying the team to multiple locations to source materials for decorations and giveaways. Throughout all these efforts, she never sought recognition or acknowledgment. She simply shows up, gives her time, and contributes wholeheartedly.
These acts may not always be visible, but they reflect who Monniza truly is—a selfless individual who finds genuine joy in helping others. It is rare to encounter someone with such sincerity and generosity, and I am truly grateful to have witnessed it firsthand.
Among many excellent nurses, Monniza stands out because she not only provides care—she transforms lives. She is not only an outstanding nurse, but a truly selfless and genuine person who inspires those around her through her actions, compassion, and dedication.
She embodies the true spirit of nursing, and I wholeheartedly believe she is exceptionally deserving of The DAISY Award.
Following heavy rainfall in Al Ain that led to widespread flooding, Monniza demonstrated courage far beyond her professional role. She personally helped rescue two of her colleagues whose homes were flooded up to waist level, assisting them in safely evacuating and transferring to a secure location. She then opened her own home to temporarily accommodate one of them while alternative housing was being arranged.
Despite the ongoing situation, Monniza later learned that another colleague from the night shift was stranded, walking for miles along flooded roads due to the absence of available transportation. Without hesitation, she went out again, located her colleague, rescued her, and ensured she was brought home safely. This act alone reflects her genuine care for others, even outside the workplace.
In her professional practice, Monniza exemplifies clinical excellence and professional growth. She was the first direct care nurse in our facility to complete a specialty course in wound care. Because of this achievement, she became a key example in our ANCC Pathway to Excellence application, specifically supporting our elements of performance related to specialty certification. Her accomplishment directly contributed to our ability to demonstrate how the organization supports nurses in advancing their expertise.
She continues to elevate our organization through her professional contributions. Monniza represented our facility at a wound care conference in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and recently developed an abstract related to the reduction of MASD that was presented in Bradford, United Kingdom. Through these achievements, she has showcased the quality, safety, and excellence of care we provide, bringing recognition to our organization on an international level.
Monniza embraces change and leadership with remarkable resilience. When a new process required a Registered Nurse instead of a caregiver to accompany ambulance transfers, she was among the first to accept the challenge. During ambulance group meetings, she advocated for her colleagues by openly voicing their concerns and helping improve the process for both staff and patient safety.
In addition, when Villa 5 reopened and required staffing, Monniza willingly stepped forward. This meant leaving the villa she had been part of for nearly two years and starting again in a newly opened villa that still required significant preparation. Despite these challenges, she maintained a consistently positive and calm disposition. Her resilience and willingness to step out of her comfort zone reflect her deep commitment to the organization and to patient care.
Her impact on patients and families is equally remarkable. She is well-loved and trusted, especially in difficult situations. In one case, she supported a patient transitioning to home care where the family was initially overwhelmed and hesitant to engage in education. Recognizing this, Monniza, together with the therapy team, personally visited the home to provide hands-on guidance and support. She involved the patient’s wife and daughter in the care, teaching them essential skills such as repositioning techniques, pressure injury prevention, and safe medication administration. Through her patience and dedication, she helped the family feel more supported and better prepared to care for their loved one.
In another instance, a family requested to apply a homemade honey-based mixture to a Stage 3 sacral pressure injury. Recognizing the potential risks, Monniza, as a wound care–trained nurse, took the initiative to educate the family on evidence-based wound management. She respectfully explained the implications of inappropriate treatment and guided them through the recommended care plan.
Through her patience and expertise, the family agreed to follow the appropriate treatment approach. Although this required ongoing reinforcement, Monniza’s consistent education and advocacy helped align the family more closely with safe, evidence-based practices, ultimately improving the patient’s care and safety.
Her positive presence is also felt by those she cares for. One patient’s family member shared that they appreciate Monniza for always smiling and creating a warm, reassuring environment. Another patient expressed a preference for Monniza to perform wound care, describing how gentle she is and how the procedure was done without causing any pain. These simple yet meaningful expressions reflect the trust and comfort she brings to her patients and their families.
Monniza consistently prioritizes patient safety and outcomes above all else. I remember a message she once shared with the team that truly reflects her mindset: “There are times when I feel overwhelmed, but I am thankful for the support of my colleagues. Sometimes my documentation gets delayed because I prioritize my patients’ needs and medications first. But no matter how busy I am at the bedside, I am happy with the care we provide. My goal is always their safety—no falls, no harm, and good patient outcomes.”
“Even during very demanding shifts with multiple responsibilities, we never complain—we stay positive, support each other, and choose to enjoy the day while giving our best for our patients.”
This is not just something she says—it is how she practices every single day.
Beyond patient care, Monniza’s compassion extends quietly into everything she does for others. I have personally witnessed this in moments that often go unseen. On one of our days off, she accompanied me to purchase groceries for holiday hampers for our housekeeping staff. We went to multiple stores late into the night, carefully selecting items to maximize what we could provide using limited donated funds. Even past midnight, she remained committed—personally driving back to ProVita to ensure the items were safely delivered and ready for preparation.
She demonstrates the same dedication in community initiatives. When volunteers were requested for a breast cancer awareness campaign at Luana Fitness Center, only a few responded—and she was one of them. Without hesitation, she traveled with us to AUH on her day off to help educate the community on early detection and prevention.
She also played a key role in the preparation for the ANCC Pathway to Excellence Fair, accompanying the team to multiple locations to source materials for decorations and giveaways. Throughout all these efforts, she never sought recognition or acknowledgment. She simply shows up, gives her time, and contributes wholeheartedly.
These acts may not always be visible, but they reflect who Monniza truly is—a selfless individual who finds genuine joy in helping others. It is rare to encounter someone with such sincerity and generosity, and I am truly grateful to have witnessed it firsthand.
Among many excellent nurses, Monniza stands out because she not only provides care—she transforms lives. She is not only an outstanding nurse, but a truly selfless and genuine person who inspires those around her through her actions, compassion, and dedication.
She embodies the true spirit of nursing, and I wholeheartedly believe she is exceptionally deserving of The DAISY Award.
Thank you, Monniza, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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