Cheryl J Calderon
November 2025
Cheryl J
Calderon
,
BSN, RN-BC
The Ponds
Saint Peter's University Hospital
New Brunswick
,
NJ
United States
She balances professionalism and vulnerability, creating an environment of trust, support, and humanity.
| It is with great admiration and heartfelt respect that I nominate Cheryl for the DAISY Award. Cheryl exemplifies the true spirit of nursing, not just in skill and knowledge, but in compassion, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to caring for others, even while facing extraordinary personal challenges. Over the past year, Cheryl has been quietly enduring a significant personal battle with serious illness. While many would understandably need to step back, Cheryl has chosen to lean in, with grace, resilience, and a dedication that continues to inspire everyone around them. Despite the physical and emotional toll of managing this illness, Cheryl shows up each day with a calm presence, a gentle smile, and a steadfast devotion to their patients and colleagues. They are the kind of nurse who makes people feel safe, not just because of their clinical expertise, but because they genuinely care. Whether it's holding a patient's hand during a difficult moment, supporting another nurse in the Adult Community team, or offering quiet encouragement when it's needed most, Cheryl leads by example. Her experience has not only deepened their empathy but also heightened their ability to connect with residents on a profound level. Residents often remark on how seen and heard they feel in Cheryl's care. Colleagues are continually amazed by how she balances professionalism and vulnerability, creating an environment of trust, support, and humanity. In a profession that demands so much of the body, mind, and spirit. Cheryl has managed to give wholeheartedly, while also navigating personal adversity with strength and dignity. Her journey reminds us all of why we do what we do and what it truly means to be a nurse. For her courage, compassion, and unwavering commitment to excellence in nursing, even in the face of profound personal trials, I can think of no one more deserving of the DAISY award than Cheryl. |