Our most recent DAISY Award winner is Michelle Cerutti!

A program to recognize the care and compassion of extraordinary nurses continues at UHS with Michelle Cerutti, RN, UHS Outpatient Mental Health Clinic, being named the February winner of the DAISY Award! Michelle was recognized and presented with the award for the achievement and enjoyed cinnamon rolls, a symbolic treat in honor of Patrick Barnes, whose experience inspired the award.

The Outpatient Mental Health Clinic nurse was nominated by several colleagues. A common theme was found in the different nomination letters — how compassionate and helpful Michelle is at all times. Her colleagues wrote about how Michelle is the only nurse on their team and is always going above and beyond for what can sometimes be a challenging caseload. Michelle never misses a beat and always does what's best for patients with kindness and compassion. She is always supportive of her co-workers and makes every team member at the clinic feel welcomed and appreciated.

"Michelle goes absolutely above and beyond for each and every patient she sees here at our clinic. She is always supportive and trying to find new ways to solve the same old problems," said one nominee. "Even when a patient is being rude or difficult, she takes her time to treat them properly with the utmost care. I have such respect for her and the work she does every day."

Thank you to Michelle for displaying such Compassion, Trust and Respect to your co-workers and patients, a stellar example of our team living "The UHS Way!"

The DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune SYstem) Award is an international recognition program that honors and celebrates the skillful, compassionate care nurses provide every day. The DAISY Foundation was established by the family of J. Patrick Barnes after the Seattle man died from complications of the auto-immune disease ITP in 1999. During his hospitalization, the family members deeply appreciated the care and compassion shown to Patrick and his loved ones. When he died, they felt compelled to say thank you to nurses in a very public way. To learn more, visit DAISYFoundation.org. 

Started at UHS in April 2021, nurses are nominated by anyone in the organization - patients, family members, other nurses, physicians, other clinicians and staff - anyone who experiences or observes extraordinary care being provided by a nurse.

Nominations are submitted by using a form found on NYUHS.org. On this form, the person will be able to tell the story of why they are nominating the nurse while also choosing which UHS Value (Compassion, Trust, Respect, Teamwork, Innovation) the nurse displayed.

If you have any questions, please contact Toni Nash at (607) 763-6896 or send an email to daisy@nyuhs.org.