Kendra Ruszas
November 2025
Kendra
Ruszas
,
RN
B3
Albany Medical Center
Albany
,
NY
United States
She is the ultimate professional and, without question, the best nurse my husband and I have encountered in 50 years.
Kendra cared for our son in the B3 Trauma Unit for 18 days following a serious accident that resulted in significant injuries to both legs. During that time, she nursed him through two rounds of complex orthopedic surgeries, giving us many opportunities to witness her extraordinary range of advanced nursing skills, teaching ability, and consistent leadership.
Kendra showed excellence in many areas, the most important of which was the unwavering culture of safety she maintained every day. Her openness to questions from colleagues was evident time and again. Whenever another nurse or PCA reached a point of uncertainty, they never hesitated to pause and seek Kendra’s guidance. She made that “stop and check” approach so visible on B3 that we felt completely safe—even when we were away from the room.
That sense of safety extended beyond her shifts; Kendra made herself approachable and supportive at all times, and it was clear how deeply that culture was embedded in her practice. I shared my admiration for Kendra in person with the Assistant Nurse Manager, reflecting many of the sentiments shared here.
Another outstanding aspect of Kendra’s care was the professionally fierce way she advocated for our son’s individual needs. Her years of experience and hard-earned wisdom were evident in the calm, effective way she navigated complex situations and ensured his best interests were always front and center. She advocated when it mattered most. She is the ultimate professional and, without question, the best nurse my husband and I have encountered in 50 years.
Kendra also guided us through the process of understanding options for acute rehabilitation following discharge. She answered our questions thoughtfully and connected us with others when additional expertise was needed. Once again, we were struck by the depth of her experience and her attention to the whole patient and family.
Given Kendra’s decades of experience, one might expect fatigue or detachment, but the opposite was true. She brought high energy every day, demonstrated rock-solid competence, and responded quickly and confidently to every request. As our son began to recover, we watched Kendra expertly adjust her approach, encouraging independence where appropriate while always keeping his needs at the center of care. Her clinical judgment during this transition was seamless and deeply reassuring. Kendra also stood out as a builder of team morale.
One memorable example was her creation of a Thanksgiving “gratitude wall” on B3, inviting staff to share what they were thankful for. Watching the wall filled with messages over time was a powerful reminder of how her positive leadership inspired connection, reflection, and pride among the team. In many ways, she continues to inspire others through her own commitment to growth, learning, and excellence. Kendra is the full embodiment of the DAISY Award. Our entire family joins this nomination with deep gratitude and sincere admiration, based on 18 days of witnessing her consistent, exceptional care.
Kendra showed excellence in many areas, the most important of which was the unwavering culture of safety she maintained every day. Her openness to questions from colleagues was evident time and again. Whenever another nurse or PCA reached a point of uncertainty, they never hesitated to pause and seek Kendra’s guidance. She made that “stop and check” approach so visible on B3 that we felt completely safe—even when we were away from the room.
That sense of safety extended beyond her shifts; Kendra made herself approachable and supportive at all times, and it was clear how deeply that culture was embedded in her practice. I shared my admiration for Kendra in person with the Assistant Nurse Manager, reflecting many of the sentiments shared here.
Another outstanding aspect of Kendra’s care was the professionally fierce way she advocated for our son’s individual needs. Her years of experience and hard-earned wisdom were evident in the calm, effective way she navigated complex situations and ensured his best interests were always front and center. She advocated when it mattered most. She is the ultimate professional and, without question, the best nurse my husband and I have encountered in 50 years.
Kendra also guided us through the process of understanding options for acute rehabilitation following discharge. She answered our questions thoughtfully and connected us with others when additional expertise was needed. Once again, we were struck by the depth of her experience and her attention to the whole patient and family.
Given Kendra’s decades of experience, one might expect fatigue or detachment, but the opposite was true. She brought high energy every day, demonstrated rock-solid competence, and responded quickly and confidently to every request. As our son began to recover, we watched Kendra expertly adjust her approach, encouraging independence where appropriate while always keeping his needs at the center of care. Her clinical judgment during this transition was seamless and deeply reassuring. Kendra also stood out as a builder of team morale.
One memorable example was her creation of a Thanksgiving “gratitude wall” on B3, inviting staff to share what they were thankful for. Watching the wall filled with messages over time was a powerful reminder of how her positive leadership inspired connection, reflection, and pride among the team. In many ways, she continues to inspire others through her own commitment to growth, learning, and excellence. Kendra is the full embodiment of the DAISY Award. Our entire family joins this nomination with deep gratitude and sincere admiration, based on 18 days of witnessing her consistent, exceptional care.