Grace Ruiz with her nurse colleagues
February 2013
Grace
Ruiz
,
Clinician III
Cardiovascular Acute
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Los Angeles
,
CA
United States

 

 

 

As a member of the DAISY Award committee, Grace Ruiz, a nurse in the Cardiovascular Acute Unit (CV Acute) at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, didn't think she was eligible to receive the hospital's top recognition for exceptional nurses.

That's why she was shocked when she was presented with the award during an early morning gathering with Chief Nursing Officer, Mary Dee Hacker, and her nurse colleagues.

"Grace is a wonderful nurse whom all nurses admire and respect," is what Aileen De Guzman, RN, wrote in the nomination of her CV Acute coworker.

One of the stories shared about Ruiz centered on a patient whom she cared for during their final hours of life. While it was a very difficult time for the family and staff alike, Ruiz remained professional at the bedside and "provided care that was gentle and reassuring."

De Guzman summed up her nomination by saying that "Grace's care for everyone is an example of the hard work, compassion and love that CV Acute nurses provide on a daily basis to patients, families and the CHLA family."