Kinoska Barquero Estrella
October 2025
Kinoska
Barquero Estrella
,
L.Enf.
Cuidados Intermedios
Clinica Biblica
San Jose
,
International
Costa Rico
Vi cómo mi niña se transformó de espectadora asustada a mi "enfermera asistente especial", orgullosa de poder ayudar a cuidar a papá.
I would like to nominate Kinoska for the DAISY Extraordinary Nurses Award for her
Exceptional dedication and compassion during my cancer treatment.
During the 40 days I was hospitalized going through six cycles of chemotherapy,
I experienced the care of many competent professionals. However, Kinoska
demonstrated qualities that transcend technical excellence and touch the very heart of what
it means to be an extraordinary nurse.
What sets Kinoska apart:
GENUINE HUMAN CONNECTION
Since I joined, Kinoska never treated me like a room number or a
diagnosis. For her, I was always Miguel: a complete person with history, family,
fears and hopes. This fundamental difference transformed my hospital experience.
My wife and I developed a relationship with her based on mutual trust and,
surprisingly, humor in the midst of adversity. Kinoska had the unique gift of
finding light in the darkest moments.
MOMENTS THAT DEFINE HIS CHARACTER
I vividly remember the occasions after sedation, when with grace and
respect he recounted my conversations under anesthesia. Like that memorable
time when, being sedated, I urgently asked to speak to her. The staff rushed to look for her
thinking of a medical emergency. When she came worried asking what
was going on, my big emergency was to ask her not to let them forget my lunch.
Anyone else would have laughed. Kinoska does not. With absolute professional seriousness he looked at me
and said, "Don Miguel, I personally make sure you get your lunch. Don't
worry." And he kept his word. That simple act speaks volumes about his respect for the
dignity of the patient.
CARING FOR THE WHOLE
FAMILY Kinoska understood something fundamental: when someone faces cancer, the whole family
needs care. My wife, exhausted after sleepless nights, found in her not only
professional but human support. The day Kinoska shared her own birthday cake
with my wife was a simple but deeply meaningful gesture.
The most emotional moment occurred on one of the occasions when my 7-year-old daughter arrived at the
hospital. Kinoska, with infinite patience, took my little girl by the hand and taught her to
take my vital signs. He explained each process to her as if it were the most important
lesson in the world. I watched as my little girl transformed from a frightened bystander to my "special assistant nurse
," proud to be able to help care for Dad. That day, Kinoska not only
calmed a child's fears; she restored my daughter's sense of control and purpose in
a situation that was beyond her.
BEYOND PROFESSIONAL DUTY
In each at-bat, Kinoska arrived with more than just technical competence. I arrived with
a genuine interest in my integral well-being. He took time to listen to my
concerns, celebrated every little progress. His constant message, expressed
more in actions than words, was clear: "You matter. Your family matters. Their dignity
remains intact."
LASTING IMPACT
During those 40 days of battle, Kinoska did more than administer treatments and
monitor vital signs. She protected my humanity when I felt most vulnerable.
He reminded me daily that although cancer had invaded my body, it had not and would not touch
my essence as a person.
The entire intermediate care nursing team deserves recognition for their
professionalism. But Kinoska embodies something deeper: the perfect fusion of
technical excellence with genuine compassion, of medical care with care for the soul.
For all these reasons, it is with deep gratitude and conviction that I nominate Kinoska for the
DAISY Award. She not only helped me survive cancer; He helped me to go through it
while keeping my dignity intact and my hope strengthened.
In those 40 days I learned that there are two types of healing: that of the body and that of the spirit.
While the entire medical team worked on the former, Kinoska made sure that
both occurred simultaneously. Not only did it heal my body; healed my soul.
And that's what makes a nurse truly extraordinary.
Exceptional dedication and compassion during my cancer treatment.
During the 40 days I was hospitalized going through six cycles of chemotherapy,
I experienced the care of many competent professionals. However, Kinoska
demonstrated qualities that transcend technical excellence and touch the very heart of what
it means to be an extraordinary nurse.
What sets Kinoska apart:
GENUINE HUMAN CONNECTION
Since I joined, Kinoska never treated me like a room number or a
diagnosis. For her, I was always Miguel: a complete person with history, family,
fears and hopes. This fundamental difference transformed my hospital experience.
My wife and I developed a relationship with her based on mutual trust and,
surprisingly, humor in the midst of adversity. Kinoska had the unique gift of
finding light in the darkest moments.
MOMENTS THAT DEFINE HIS CHARACTER
I vividly remember the occasions after sedation, when with grace and
respect he recounted my conversations under anesthesia. Like that memorable
time when, being sedated, I urgently asked to speak to her. The staff rushed to look for her
thinking of a medical emergency. When she came worried asking what
was going on, my big emergency was to ask her not to let them forget my lunch.
Anyone else would have laughed. Kinoska does not. With absolute professional seriousness he looked at me
and said, "Don Miguel, I personally make sure you get your lunch. Don't
worry." And he kept his word. That simple act speaks volumes about his respect for the
dignity of the patient.
CARING FOR THE WHOLE
FAMILY Kinoska understood something fundamental: when someone faces cancer, the whole family
needs care. My wife, exhausted after sleepless nights, found in her not only
professional but human support. The day Kinoska shared her own birthday cake
with my wife was a simple but deeply meaningful gesture.
The most emotional moment occurred on one of the occasions when my 7-year-old daughter arrived at the
hospital. Kinoska, with infinite patience, took my little girl by the hand and taught her to
take my vital signs. He explained each process to her as if it were the most important
lesson in the world. I watched as my little girl transformed from a frightened bystander to my "special assistant nurse
," proud to be able to help care for Dad. That day, Kinoska not only
calmed a child's fears; she restored my daughter's sense of control and purpose in
a situation that was beyond her.
BEYOND PROFESSIONAL DUTY
In each at-bat, Kinoska arrived with more than just technical competence. I arrived with
a genuine interest in my integral well-being. He took time to listen to my
concerns, celebrated every little progress. His constant message, expressed
more in actions than words, was clear: "You matter. Your family matters. Their dignity
remains intact."
LASTING IMPACT
During those 40 days of battle, Kinoska did more than administer treatments and
monitor vital signs. She protected my humanity when I felt most vulnerable.
He reminded me daily that although cancer had invaded my body, it had not and would not touch
my essence as a person.
The entire intermediate care nursing team deserves recognition for their
professionalism. But Kinoska embodies something deeper: the perfect fusion of
technical excellence with genuine compassion, of medical care with care for the soul.
For all these reasons, it is with deep gratitude and conviction that I nominate Kinoska for the
DAISY Award. She not only helped me survive cancer; He helped me to go through it
while keeping my dignity intact and my hope strengthened.
In those 40 days I learned that there are two types of healing: that of the body and that of the spirit.
While the entire medical team worked on the former, Kinoska made sure that
both occurred simultaneously. Not only did it heal my body; healed my soul.
And that's what makes a nurse truly extraordinary.