May 2026
Marlene
Apura
,
MSN,RN, CVRN-BC
CHI St Lukes Health-Baylor St Lukes Medical Center
Houston
,
TX
United States
Her ability to support, educate, and inspire others truly sets her apart.
It is with great pride and deep admiration that Marlene Apura receives the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her more than 38 years of exceptional service in nursing.
Throughout her remarkable career, Marlene has consistently exemplified the true spirit of nursing—compassion, dedication, and excellence. For nearly 38 years, she has provided outstanding patient care, always going above and beyond to ensure the comfort, dignity, and well-being of those she serves. Her ability to connect with patients and families on a personal level leaves a lasting impact, offering not only clinical expertise but also emotional support during some of life's most challenging moments.
Marlene is widely respected by her colleagues for her professionalism, leadership, and unwavering commitment to high standards of care. She serves as a mentor and role model to countless nurses, generously sharing her knowledge and experience to guide and inspire the next generation. Her calm presence, strong clinical judgment, and tireless work ethic make her an invaluable asset to every team she has been part of.
Beyond her clinical skills, what truly sets Marlene apart is her genuine compassion and selflessness. She approaches every patient with kindness, patience, and respect, embodying the core values of the nursing profession. Her dedication has not only improved patient outcomes but has also fostered a culture of empathy and excellence within her workplace.
In addition to her bedside excellence, Marlene has remained actively involved in advancing the nursing profession over the years. She currently serves as Chair of Committee #1, Chairperson of BSLMC Committee #2, and Co-Chair for a divisional program. She has also represented her organization in six Magnet designation processes in Atlanta, Georgia.
Her active participation in councils, committees, and community initiatives reflects her deep commitment to professional growth and nursing excellence. She continually encourages young nursing professionals to engage in these activities, helping to build a positive and progressive nursing environment.
Marlene is an exceptional nurse leader who works tirelessly to promote quality care within the unit and organization, always adhering to policies and procedures with compassion and humanity. Her professionalism, gentle manner, calmness, critical thinking, strong communication skills, clinical competence, and team spirit truly distinguish her.
One memorable example highlights her outstanding leadership and compassion. During a shift when she was the team leader, a patient experienced an unexpected fall despite all precautions being in place. The assigned nurse, who had just completed orientation, was overwhelmed and deeply distressed.
Marlene immediately stepped in, comforting the nurse while simultaneously assessing the patient, escalating the situation appropriately, and ensuring all post-fall protocols were followed. Even after completing her night shift, she stayed more than two additional hours to support both the patient and the nurse. She ensured all documentation was completed and arranged for the patient to undergo further evaluation, including a CT scan.
More importantly, she served as a strong advocate for both the patient and her teammate, providing emotional support and guidance during a difficult situation.
Following the incident, she took the opportunity to mentor the nurse and the team, educating them on fall prevention strategies and fostering a learning environment. Her kindness, knowledge, and supportive approach had a lasting impact. The nurse regained confidence, continued working successfully, and later became an active member of the fall prevention committee.
This example is just one of many that demonstrate Marlene's dedication, leadership, and compassion. Her ability to support, educate, and inspire others truly sets her apart.
Marlene's extraordinary contributions over the past 38 years make her a most deserving recipient of the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award. Her legacy of care, leadership, and compassion will continue to inspire all who have the privilege of working alongside her.
Throughout her remarkable career, Marlene has consistently exemplified the true spirit of nursing—compassion, dedication, and excellence. For nearly 38 years, she has provided outstanding patient care, always going above and beyond to ensure the comfort, dignity, and well-being of those she serves. Her ability to connect with patients and families on a personal level leaves a lasting impact, offering not only clinical expertise but also emotional support during some of life's most challenging moments.
Marlene is widely respected by her colleagues for her professionalism, leadership, and unwavering commitment to high standards of care. She serves as a mentor and role model to countless nurses, generously sharing her knowledge and experience to guide and inspire the next generation. Her calm presence, strong clinical judgment, and tireless work ethic make her an invaluable asset to every team she has been part of.
Beyond her clinical skills, what truly sets Marlene apart is her genuine compassion and selflessness. She approaches every patient with kindness, patience, and respect, embodying the core values of the nursing profession. Her dedication has not only improved patient outcomes but has also fostered a culture of empathy and excellence within her workplace.
In addition to her bedside excellence, Marlene has remained actively involved in advancing the nursing profession over the years. She currently serves as Chair of Committee #1, Chairperson of BSLMC Committee #2, and Co-Chair for a divisional program. She has also represented her organization in six Magnet designation processes in Atlanta, Georgia.
Her active participation in councils, committees, and community initiatives reflects her deep commitment to professional growth and nursing excellence. She continually encourages young nursing professionals to engage in these activities, helping to build a positive and progressive nursing environment.
Marlene is an exceptional nurse leader who works tirelessly to promote quality care within the unit and organization, always adhering to policies and procedures with compassion and humanity. Her professionalism, gentle manner, calmness, critical thinking, strong communication skills, clinical competence, and team spirit truly distinguish her.
One memorable example highlights her outstanding leadership and compassion. During a shift when she was the team leader, a patient experienced an unexpected fall despite all precautions being in place. The assigned nurse, who had just completed orientation, was overwhelmed and deeply distressed.
Marlene immediately stepped in, comforting the nurse while simultaneously assessing the patient, escalating the situation appropriately, and ensuring all post-fall protocols were followed. Even after completing her night shift, she stayed more than two additional hours to support both the patient and the nurse. She ensured all documentation was completed and arranged for the patient to undergo further evaluation, including a CT scan.
More importantly, she served as a strong advocate for both the patient and her teammate, providing emotional support and guidance during a difficult situation.
Following the incident, she took the opportunity to mentor the nurse and the team, educating them on fall prevention strategies and fostering a learning environment. Her kindness, knowledge, and supportive approach had a lasting impact. The nurse regained confidence, continued working successfully, and later became an active member of the fall prevention committee.
This example is just one of many that demonstrate Marlene's dedication, leadership, and compassion. Her ability to support, educate, and inspire others truly sets her apart.
Marlene's extraordinary contributions over the past 38 years make her a most deserving recipient of the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award. Her legacy of care, leadership, and compassion will continue to inspire all who have the privilege of working alongside her.