September 2026 Honoree
Gisela Noe, BSN, RN
Some nurses pour their entire heart into every moment of every shift. Nurses who make you believe that compassion and excellence can exist in the same breath. Gigi Noe is exactly that kind of nurse. When one of our patients arrived in the PICU with life-threatening injuries, Gigi stepped in with unwavering dedication and treated the child with the utmost dignity, skill, and care. She gave everything she had clinically, but what set her apart in those devastating moments was the way she extended that same devotion to the patient’s family. She understood that in the PICU, you are never just caring for a patient; you are caring for an entire family whose world has been turned upside down.
Gigi made sure the patient’s mother was eating by personally bringing her a meal, a small but profoundly human gesture that said, “I see you, and you matter too.” She sat with the family in their fear and grief, offering patience, gentleness, and reassurance, promising them she would do everything in her power for their loved one. She advocated fiercely for her patient, ensuring every decision honored the child’s dignity. And when the unthinkable happened, and the patient passed, Gigi did not clock out and move on. She stayed. She held that family in their grief, embraced them, and made sure they did not face that moment alone.
As a colleague, I am moved beyond words by what I witnessed. Gigi did not just inspire me to be a better nurse; she inspired me to want to become a pediatric ICU nurse. Watching her reminded me of why this work matters, and of the profound difference one person can make in the darkest moments of another person’s life. I feel incredibly fortunate to work alongside someone who brings this depth of care, empathy, and professionalism to our unit every single day. The DAISY Award exists to recognize nurses who go far beyond the expected. Nurses who leave a lasting imprint on the hearts of the patients and families they serve. Gigi does not just meet that standard; she defines it.
Gigi made sure the patient’s mother was eating by personally bringing her a meal, a small but profoundly human gesture that said, “I see you, and you matter too.” She sat with the family in their fear and grief, offering patience, gentleness, and reassurance, promising them she would do everything in her power for their loved one. She advocated fiercely for her patient, ensuring every decision honored the child’s dignity. And when the unthinkable happened, and the patient passed, Gigi did not clock out and move on. She stayed. She held that family in their grief, embraced them, and made sure they did not face that moment alone.
As a colleague, I am moved beyond words by what I witnessed. Gigi did not just inspire me to be a better nurse; she inspired me to want to become a pediatric ICU nurse. Watching her reminded me of why this work matters, and of the profound difference one person can make in the darkest moments of another person’s life. I feel incredibly fortunate to work alongside someone who brings this depth of care, empathy, and professionalism to our unit every single day. The DAISY Award exists to recognize nurses who go far beyond the expected. Nurses who leave a lasting imprint on the hearts of the patients and families they serve. Gigi does not just meet that standard; she defines it.
Thank you, Gisela, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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