Ashley was nominated by a colleague.  This is her story:

I would like to nominate Ashley Beltre Mota for the DAISY Award for the extraordinary compassion she demonstrated toward her patient.

Ashley is a new nurse and finished her orientation only a few months ago.  On her day off, Ashley came into the hospital to celebrate her patient’s 97th birthday.  She took time out of her personal schedule to show up with the patient’s favorite flavored cupcakes and balloons to celebrate her special milestone.  She had noticed that the patient did not have friends or family visiting frequently and wanted to make sure the day did not go unrecognized.  Ashley went out of her way to bring joy, comfort, and a sense of belonging to this patient during such a special milestone.

This act of kindness truly shows what nursing is all about:  caring for the whole person, not just their medical needs.  Ashley’s thoughtfulness and compassion helped her patient feel valued, loved, and celebrated.  Her actions remind us that nursing is about more than clinical skills; it is also about building human connections.  She turned a day that might have been lonely into one filled with warmth, dignity, and joy.

For these reasons, I believe Ashley exemplifies the qualities of a DAISY Nurse and is truly deserving of this recognition.