Nurse Commitment Results in Daisy Award

Media Contact: Karina Rusk
831-759-1843

Salinas Valley Health (Salinas Valley Health) participates in the national DAISY Award program, which celebrates compassionate and skillful nursing care. Colleagues noticed Christine’s commitment to one family and nominated her for the prestigious recognition.

“I’m very honored to receive this award,” says Christine Durden, RN. “Nursing was something I always wanted to do and being recognized for doing something that I love is an honor.”

Christine joined Salinas Valley Health in 2016 and is a Staff Nurse II in the Mother/Baby Department. A colleague and prior Daisy Award recipient, nominated Christine for the award after witnessing the compassionate care she provided to a particular mother and newborn.

A patient had given birth to a baby with a non-life threatening condition that would be permanent without corrective surgery. Salinas Valley Health does not reveal the exact nature of the condition to protect patient privacy. After discharge, Christine contacted the mother and personally arranged for the baby to receive important follow-up care from a doctor who accepted the family’s insurance plan. The mother’s initial attempts to get an appointment with a covered provider were not successful. The mother later called to thank Christine, as secondary issues had arisen that could have resulted in serious complications.

“I feel that part of my job is to advocate for the patient,” says Christine. “I knew how important it was for this baby to get the specialized follow up care we recommended.”

“Christina’s actions really stood out from other nominees,” says Christie McGuire, RN, Chief Nursing Officer. “She truly understands the importance of nursing and our Salinas Valley Health values which include the patient’s well-being even after leaving our immediate care.”

The following employees were also nominated for the January DAISY Award; June Alfaro, RN, Michael Jarschke, RN, Annie Sebolino, RN, and Mario Zermeno, 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 hospital. To learn more about the awards visit Nurse Recognition | Salinas Valley Health or STAR Award | Monterey County Health System (SalinasValleyHealth.com).