Alva Cortazar
September 2025
Alva
Cortazar
,
Hospital Corpsman
PICU
Naval Medical Center Portsmouth
Portsmouth
,
VA
United States
Cortazar's dedication, skill, and unwavering compassion made a significant difference in the experience of this young patient and his family.
I am writing to enthusiastically nominate Alva Cortazar for the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. Cortazar's exceptional patient care, particularly her compassionate and skillful approach to a young boy with autism during a recent GHST procedure, truly exemplifies the spirit of this award.
This young patient presented with significant anxiety regarding the necessary IV insertion. According to his parents, previous IV attempts had been extremely challenging, often requiring multiple sticks from several nurses. Knowing this, Cortazar took the lead, demonstrating courage and initiative.
What truly impressed me was Cortazar's ability to connect with this child on his level. She utilized excellent communication skills, carefully explaining the procedure in a way that was age-appropriate and understandable for him, effectively reducing his anxiety. Crucially, she fostered a collaborative relationship with the parents, incorporating their insights and preferences into her approach. Through this collaborative effort, Cortazar successfully inserted the IV on the first try, a remarkable achievement considering the patient's history and heightened anxiety.
The family of the patient also expressed their gratitude and admiration for Cortazar. They noted that the entire team, including HA Cortazar and LTJG M, brought a sense of "calmness" to the situation that they had not experienced in the past. They praised the team's pleasantness, competence, and knowledge, adding that, "We loved our team this time and wish every experience was like this." Most notably, they observed that Cortazar and M "actually love caring for their patients" and appreciated their advocacy when issues arose. They explicitly stated that Cortazar’s "compassion and professionalism should be recognized!"
Cortazar's dedication, skill, and unwavering compassion made a significant difference in the experience of this young patient and his family. Her ability to build trust, reduce anxiety, and provide exceptional care, especially in a challenging situation, is truly commendable. Cortazar is a shining example of the extraordinary Corpsmen who make a difference in the lives of their patients every day. She is a rising star, and I am confident that she will continue to make a profound impact on the lives of those she serves. For these reasons, I wholeheartedly recommend HA Cortazar for the DAISY Award.
This young patient presented with significant anxiety regarding the necessary IV insertion. According to his parents, previous IV attempts had been extremely challenging, often requiring multiple sticks from several nurses. Knowing this, Cortazar took the lead, demonstrating courage and initiative.
What truly impressed me was Cortazar's ability to connect with this child on his level. She utilized excellent communication skills, carefully explaining the procedure in a way that was age-appropriate and understandable for him, effectively reducing his anxiety. Crucially, she fostered a collaborative relationship with the parents, incorporating their insights and preferences into her approach. Through this collaborative effort, Cortazar successfully inserted the IV on the first try, a remarkable achievement considering the patient's history and heightened anxiety.
The family of the patient also expressed their gratitude and admiration for Cortazar. They noted that the entire team, including HA Cortazar and LTJG M, brought a sense of "calmness" to the situation that they had not experienced in the past. They praised the team's pleasantness, competence, and knowledge, adding that, "We loved our team this time and wish every experience was like this." Most notably, they observed that Cortazar and M "actually love caring for their patients" and appreciated their advocacy when issues arose. They explicitly stated that Cortazar’s "compassion and professionalism should be recognized!"
Cortazar's dedication, skill, and unwavering compassion made a significant difference in the experience of this young patient and his family. Her ability to build trust, reduce anxiety, and provide exceptional care, especially in a challenging situation, is truly commendable. Cortazar is a shining example of the extraordinary Corpsmen who make a difference in the lives of their patients every day. She is a rising star, and I am confident that she will continue to make a profound impact on the lives of those she serves. For these reasons, I wholeheartedly recommend HA Cortazar for the DAISY Award.