March 2026
Gretchen A
Simon
,
BSN, RN, CMSRN
Orthopedic Trauma
Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center
Charlotte
,
NC
United States
She sees people fully — their circumstances, their barriers, and their needs — and she takes action in a way that inspires the rest of us to do better.
I would like to nominate Gretchen Simon, our Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) Intern, for the DAISY Award for the extraordinary care, leadership, and compassion she consistently demonstrates. Gretchen embodies the spirit of nursing excellence, and her work has created a lasting impact on both our patients and our team on 11B. From the beginning of her time with us, she has demonstrated a unique combination of clinical expertise, compassion, and initiative.
One of the most remarkable examples of her commitment is the way she identified and addressed a major gap in care for patients experiencing food insecurity. While nurses regularly assess social determinants of health (SDOH), follow-through on food insecurity needs has historically been fragmented or inconsistent. Gretchen not only recognized this issue — she took ownership of it.
Gretchen brought together multiple departments and disciplines, including Morrison’s Food Services, Hospital at Home, case management, and MSKI quality team, to collaboratively design a sustainable solution. She knew that many of our readmissions were related to non-healing wounds, and she connected the dots: patients struggling to access nutritious food simply could not heal effectively at home.
After weeks of coordination, planning, and problem-solving, Gretchen helped develop a new process on 11B to evaluate each patient’s SDOH screening and determine whether they could safely take home perishable or nonperishable food. She helped secure the donation of a freezer for the unit—ensuring we could store high-quality meals for our most vulnerable patients. Today, thanks to Gretchen’s leadership and advocacy, patients in need leave the hospital with nine meals, provided by Morrison’s Food Services and supported by Hospital at Home - this initiative has already changed numerous lives.
Most recently, Gretchen supported a family in which the patient was the sole provider for his wife and children. Understanding the magnitude of their situation, Gretchen went above and beyond. She worked directly with the family to ensure they had enough meals to get through the critical transition period from hospital to home. She also rallied the unit to provide a few extra goodies for the children — a gesture that created comfort and dignity during an incredibly difficult time.
Gretchen does all of this quietly, humbly, and with deep empathy. She sees people fully — their circumstances, their barriers, and their needs — and she takes action in a way that inspires the rest of us to do better. This most recent initiative will have longstanding positive effects on patient outcomes and has elevated the standard of care on our unit.
In addition to her clinical contributions, Gretchen plays an active role in promoting wellness among her colleagues. She helps plan and organize team wellness activities, ensures follow‑through, and brings energy that keeps staff engaged and supported. Her commitment to caregiver well‑being is just another example of the holistic way she views nursing and leadership.
Gretchen is a shining example of what the DAISY Award represents: compassion, innovation, advocacy, and extraordinary dedication to patients and families. She has made a meaningful difference in countless lives, and I am honored to nominate her for this well-deserved recognition.
One of the most remarkable examples of her commitment is the way she identified and addressed a major gap in care for patients experiencing food insecurity. While nurses regularly assess social determinants of health (SDOH), follow-through on food insecurity needs has historically been fragmented or inconsistent. Gretchen not only recognized this issue — she took ownership of it.
Gretchen brought together multiple departments and disciplines, including Morrison’s Food Services, Hospital at Home, case management, and MSKI quality team, to collaboratively design a sustainable solution. She knew that many of our readmissions were related to non-healing wounds, and she connected the dots: patients struggling to access nutritious food simply could not heal effectively at home.
After weeks of coordination, planning, and problem-solving, Gretchen helped develop a new process on 11B to evaluate each patient’s SDOH screening and determine whether they could safely take home perishable or nonperishable food. She helped secure the donation of a freezer for the unit—ensuring we could store high-quality meals for our most vulnerable patients. Today, thanks to Gretchen’s leadership and advocacy, patients in need leave the hospital with nine meals, provided by Morrison’s Food Services and supported by Hospital at Home - this initiative has already changed numerous lives.
Most recently, Gretchen supported a family in which the patient was the sole provider for his wife and children. Understanding the magnitude of their situation, Gretchen went above and beyond. She worked directly with the family to ensure they had enough meals to get through the critical transition period from hospital to home. She also rallied the unit to provide a few extra goodies for the children — a gesture that created comfort and dignity during an incredibly difficult time.
Gretchen does all of this quietly, humbly, and with deep empathy. She sees people fully — their circumstances, their barriers, and their needs — and she takes action in a way that inspires the rest of us to do better. This most recent initiative will have longstanding positive effects on patient outcomes and has elevated the standard of care on our unit.
In addition to her clinical contributions, Gretchen plays an active role in promoting wellness among her colleagues. She helps plan and organize team wellness activities, ensures follow‑through, and brings energy that keeps staff engaged and supported. Her commitment to caregiver well‑being is just another example of the holistic way she views nursing and leadership.
Gretchen is a shining example of what the DAISY Award represents: compassion, innovation, advocacy, and extraordinary dedication to patients and families. She has made a meaningful difference in countless lives, and I am honored to nominate her for this well-deserved recognition.