Salinas Valley Health Nurse Receives DAISY Award

Media Contact: Karina Rusk
831-759-1843

SALINAS, CA, June 22, 2018- Ashika Sundar, RN is the June recipient of the DAISY Award at Salinas Valley Health. Salinas Valley Health participates in the national DAISY Award program, which celebrates compassionate and skillful nursing care. Sundar is a Staff Nurse II in the Heart Center.

“It’s an honor to receive the DAISY Award,” says Ashika Sundar, RN. “Nursing is so much more than providing medical care to our patients, it’s also about providing comfort and treating them like family. These are the reasons why I decided to be a nurse. As a team, we always make a difference in the lives of our patients.”

Sundar joined the Heart Center at Salinas Valley Health in 2004 as a newly graduated registered nurse. A colleague nominated Sundar for the DAISY Award for the compassionate care she provided a patient whose brother recently passed away. The funeral for the patient’s brother was taking place during a period in which it was not medically advisable to leave the hospital. Sundar came up with a solution that satisfied the patient’s medical and emotional needs. A co-worker shared, “Ashika contacted the funeral home and persuaded them to have the hearse drive by the hospital and stop for a brief time. The nursing team was able to have the patient outside in a wheelchair so our patient could pay her respects. It was a beautiful, kind thing to do and to witness.”

“Ashika Sundar’s actions inspire us all,” says Trini Juarez, RN, Senior Administrative Director Patient Care Services. “She is the definition of a compassionate and caring nurse. Ashika not only cared for this patient but also comforted her during this mourning period. We are lucky she is part of our dedicated team.”

Sundar will be recognized by the publicly elected Board of Directors at its June board meeting. The following employees were also nominated for the June DAISY Award: Susan Bradley, RN, Jose Contreras, RN, Jennifer Denny, RN, Hannah Dickerson, RN, Maria Gonzalez, RN, Kim Hooks, RN, Shauna Lalonde, RN, Sheryll Randazzo, RN, Maryann Torculas, RN, and Julie Vasher, RN.

Every month, Salinas Valley Health recognizes an outstanding employee with a DAISY Award (for nurses) or a STAR Award (for all staff). Nominations can be submitted by patients, visitors and staff. Nomination forms and drop boxes are located throughout the medical center. To learn more about the awards visit Nurse Recognition | Salinas Valley Health or STAR Award | Monterey County Health System (SalinasValleyHealth.com).