Analilia Saldana Hernandez
November 2024
Analilia
Saldana Hernandez
,
RN
Emergency Dept
Ascension Saint Alexius in Hoffman Estates
Hoffman Estates
,
IL
United States
She called out for help in the seemingly empty garage, and their luck changed immediately – Analilia was in earshot.
Some might say that Analilia Saldana Hernandez only did what she was supposed to do that day in the St. Alexius garage. While the incident and circumstances were certainly dramatic, it might be argued that anyone with the same background and training would have taken the same course of action. We couldn’t agree more – and that’s precisely why Analilia deserves this DAISY Award. In our judgment, her actions epitomize what every good nurse would and should do in the same situation – she acted decisively with focused intention, and without hesitation. Besides, what’s a little blood anyway?
Here’s how events unfolded. A woman with a four-year-old daughter in the grips of an escalating medical crisis had parked in our garage on their way to our Emergency Department. In the time it took for them to get from the fourth level to the ground floor via the garage elevator, the little girl said, “Mommy, I don’t feel good,” and at once began vomiting an alarming amount of blood. Then she passed out.
Beyond shock, fear, and a rising sense of panic, the girl’s mom also had debilitating back issues and was unable to lift or carry the child. She called out for help in the seemingly empty garage, and their luck changed immediately – Analilia was in earshot. She had just arrived for her shift in the ER and was passing the elevator on her way out of the garage. Analilia immediately swept the girl up in her arms and ran the remaining short distance to the ER entrance.
According to the grateful mother, “Analilia was definitely a lifesaver. She was covered in blood from her head to her crocs, and didn’t appear to mind it at all. And of course, she came to the room later to check on my daughter. She was and is a true hero.”
It’s true that Analilia only did what any good nurse would do. But they do it anytime, anywhere, and anyhow. Out of nowhere, out of the blue, and at the drop of a hat. Her action that day is an affirmation that on any given typical day, nurses do something extraordinary. Analilia acted for all her fellow nurses that day and made us all proud.
Here’s how events unfolded. A woman with a four-year-old daughter in the grips of an escalating medical crisis had parked in our garage on their way to our Emergency Department. In the time it took for them to get from the fourth level to the ground floor via the garage elevator, the little girl said, “Mommy, I don’t feel good,” and at once began vomiting an alarming amount of blood. Then she passed out.
Beyond shock, fear, and a rising sense of panic, the girl’s mom also had debilitating back issues and was unable to lift or carry the child. She called out for help in the seemingly empty garage, and their luck changed immediately – Analilia was in earshot. She had just arrived for her shift in the ER and was passing the elevator on her way out of the garage. Analilia immediately swept the girl up in her arms and ran the remaining short distance to the ER entrance.
According to the grateful mother, “Analilia was definitely a lifesaver. She was covered in blood from her head to her crocs, and didn’t appear to mind it at all. And of course, she came to the room later to check on my daughter. She was and is a true hero.”
It’s true that Analilia only did what any good nurse would do. But they do it anytime, anywhere, and anyhow. Out of nowhere, out of the blue, and at the drop of a hat. Her action that day is an affirmation that on any given typical day, nurses do something extraordinary. Analilia acted for all her fellow nurses that day and made us all proud.