Compassionate Care Results in DAISY Award

Media Contact: Karina Rusk
831-759-1843

Maya Angelou is famously quoted as saying, “They may forget your name, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” In this case, the daughter of a patient at Salinas Valley Health both remembered the name and how that person made her mother feel, resulting in the prestigious DAISY Award for a dedicated nurse at the Medical Center.  

Aracely Martinez, RN, BSN, PCCN first joined Salinas Valley Health in 2006 as a new nursing graduate and has advanced her skills and knowledge over the years, currently serving in the Radiology Department. Key to Aracely’s success, has always been keeping compassionate care at the heart of her skilled approach to nursing care. A letter from the grateful daughter of a patient led to Aracely’s selection as a DAISY Award recipient.

The relative wrote, “My Mom had a procedure done today. She made my Mom feel so comfortable. My mom was embarrassed because she soiled her sheets. Aracely was warm and caring and told her not to worry that she would take care of it and changed her. She didn’t rush my mom, was patient and her voice and body language was calm and welcoming. She was very informative to me.”

Aracely expressed her surprise during the DAISY Award announcement attended by fellow nursing colleagues, staff and physicians. “I enjoy caring for patients,” said Aracely Martinez, RN, BSN, PCCN at Salinas Valley Health. “I am surprised by the award but I am also grateful. It feels good to know that by doing what I love, I’m also having a positive impact on others.”

Aracely is one of the 36% of nurses at Salinas Valley Health to achieve and maintain Board Certification in their area of specialty, which is education beyond their registered nurse (RN) license status. After joining Salinas Valley Health in 2006 as a member of the Comprehensive Cancer Center, Aracely has continuously advanced her career over the 17 years with the organization, by obtaining a Progressive Care Certified Nurse Certification in 2019, completing her Bachelors of Science in Nursing in 2020 and achieving her current title of Staff Nurse III in 2021.

This is Aracely’s second nomination and first DAISY award. In addition to Aracely, four Staff Nurse II team members at Salinas Valley Health were honored with a DAISY Award nomination; Michael Jarschke, ICU/CCU; David Martin, Telemetry/4-T; Rebecca Salvador-Mendoza, ED; and Luzviminda "Minda" Ramos, ICU/CCU.

Salinas Valley Health participates in the national DAISY Award program, which celebrates compassionate and skillful nursing care. 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 DAISY Award click here and to learn more about the STAR Award click here.