Salinas Valley Health Nurse Receives DAISY Award

Media Contact: Karina Rusk
831-759-1843

Edel Hernandez, RN is the February 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. Hernandez is a Staff Nurse II in the Medical Surgical Unit.

“I feel honored to receive this award,” says Edel Hernandez, RN. “Every day I try to be as attentive as possible when caring for our patients. I take care of them as if they are my family and I couldn’t do it without the support of my colleagues. We are a great team.”

Hernandez started her career at Salinas Valley Health in 2001 as a Nurse Aide. Soon after she was transferred to the Comprehensive Cancer Center and has been working in the Medical Surgical Unit as a registered nurse since 2004. Patients nominated Hernandez for the DAISY Award for the outstanding and compassionate care she provided them. One patient expressed, “She is an amazing nurse and made a not so fun situation into an enjoyable one.” Another patient shared, “Edel is amazing, very attentive, compassionate and caring.”

“Edel is an outstanding registered nurse,” says Christie Gonder, RN, Chief Nursing Officer. “She is the epitome of a health care provider. Every day she inspires her colleagues to provide the best nursing care possible. She is a pleasure to work with. We are lucky she is a part of our dedicated team.”

Hernandez was recognized by the publicly elected Board of Directors at its February board meeting. The following employees were also nominated for the February DAISY Award: Paulina Llamas, RN, Sandra Martinez, RN, Diana Matthews, RN, Michelle Orta, RN, Catalino Santos Jr. RN, Shannon Valdez, 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).