September 2026 Honoree
Ronica McFadden, LPN
I would like to recognize Ronica McFadden for the exceptional compassion, dignity, and kindness they showed my son during his stay. He is recovering from a spinal cord injury, and one of the most difficult parts of his recovery has been losing control over things most people take for granted.
During several night shifts, his bowel program became especially challenging due to the combination of Milk of Magnesia and Maalox. Throughout the night, he had multiple accidents that required repeated linen changes and extensive clean-up. As embarrassed as he was, he apologized over and over.
Not once did Ronica show frustration or make him feel like he was a burden. She responded with patience, compassion, and genuine kindness every single time. She cared for him with such dignity that, as his parents, it brought us tremendous comfort to know he was in their hands.
What stood out even more was that when she was assigned to his room again on another night, she greeted him with the same warmth, laughter and sense of humor. She joked with him, put him at ease, and treated him as though he were family. She reminded him that he had nothing to be embarrassed about and that caring for him was simply part of what they do.
In a season when his independence was taken from him, Ronica gave him something just as important - his dignity. Her compassion went far beyond clinical care. She cared for the whole person.
Even now, writing this brings tears to my eyes. Watching her care for our son with such patience, respect, and genuine kindness gave us peace during one of the hardest seasons of our lives. We will never forget the difference she made.
Ronica McFadden truly exemplifies the compassionate, selfless, and extraordinary care that every patient hopes to receive and that the DAISY Award was created to recognize.
During several night shifts, his bowel program became especially challenging due to the combination of Milk of Magnesia and Maalox. Throughout the night, he had multiple accidents that required repeated linen changes and extensive clean-up. As embarrassed as he was, he apologized over and over.
Not once did Ronica show frustration or make him feel like he was a burden. She responded with patience, compassion, and genuine kindness every single time. She cared for him with such dignity that, as his parents, it brought us tremendous comfort to know he was in their hands.
What stood out even more was that when she was assigned to his room again on another night, she greeted him with the same warmth, laughter and sense of humor. She joked with him, put him at ease, and treated him as though he were family. She reminded him that he had nothing to be embarrassed about and that caring for him was simply part of what they do.
In a season when his independence was taken from him, Ronica gave him something just as important - his dignity. Her compassion went far beyond clinical care. She cared for the whole person.
Even now, writing this brings tears to my eyes. Watching her care for our son with such patience, respect, and genuine kindness gave us peace during one of the hardest seasons of our lives. We will never forget the difference she made.
Ronica McFadden truly exemplifies the compassionate, selfless, and extraordinary care that every patient hopes to receive and that the DAISY Award was created to recognize.
Thank you, Ronica, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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