Although DAISY Award celebrations were paused for much of 2020 due to the pandemic, the following nurses were selected as recipients and recently celebrated for the outstanding care they provided to patients and families in 2020.

Learn more about each nurse via excerpts from their nominations, which are submitted by patients, family members and colleagues. For more information about the DAISY Award and to nominate a nurse, visit our website.

Thomas Adams, RN, Neurosciences ICU

Thomas Adams

Thomas Adams was nominated by a patient’s family members, who felt grateful for the support he provided to them while caring for their loved one.

They wrote: “He answered any and all questions we had and explained everything to us in a way we could understand it.  It quickly became clear that Tom puts his whole heart into everything he does, and for that we will never be able to thank him enough…From the beginning, Tom gave us strength, confidence, knowledge, hope, and so much more.  There is absolutely nothing in the world great enough to repay him for his love and compassion that he brings to his work, but my family and I know that the Daisy Award is a start.”

Charisse Catambay, BSN, RN, Hematology/Oncology, Braunwald Tower 7D

Charisse Catambay

Charisse Catambay was nominated by the loved one of a patient for the “genuine care and compassion” she showed the entire family:

“Charisse helped my entire family and I navigate a lot of challenging conversations and concerns, and she made our opinions feel heard and valued every step of the way. As devasted as we all were, Charisse was always there with a smile on her face (even behind the mask) and comforting presence to get us through some really challenging times. She went above and beyond every single day to make sure my mother was comfortable, cared for, and loved. As a nurse myself, I know that it can really difficult to navigate complex care situations, but Charisse was truly an exceptional nurse. She is most deserving of the Daisy Award for her compassionate heart, advocating spirit and overall warm/calming presence.”

Sarah DiBari, BSN, RN, Neurosciences Intermediate Care, Braunwald Tower 10D

Sarah DiBari

Debbie Moody, BSN, RN, OCN, of Hematology Oncology, nominated Sarah DiBari for the care she provided to Moody’s loved one when visitors were restricted:

“Sarah cared for him with the upmost professionalism, kindness and knowledgeable care.  She demonstrated what it is to be an exceptional Brigham nurse. She included family in planning, listened attentively to what we were saying, advocated tirelessly for his best interests, included pain and palliative and future care needs. With Sarah I never had to worry.  She always made sure we were included and felt in touch even while out of touch. We cannot thank her enough.”

Mary Kelley, BSN, RN, of Cardiology, Shapiro 9/10

Mary Kelley was nominated by Cameron Nutt, MD, internal medicine resident, for the compassion she showed to a patient and family when visitors were restricted during the first COVID-19 surge last year. Kelley brought her patient to the Shapiro bridge and arranged for the patient’s loved ones to be outside so they could see each other while they talked over the phone.

Nutt wrote: “It meant the world to our patient and her family. Physical distancing, it seems, need not mean giving up on social solidarity. As I prepare to care for patients with COVID-19 over the coming weeks, I’ll take heart in this sign of hope from Mary’s selfless actions—that it’s through prioritizing dignity and looking out for one another as she did for our patient that we will overcome the seemingly impossible challenges ahead.”

Lindsay Osgood, BSN, RN, Intensive Care Unit Float Pool

Lindsay Osgood

Lindsay Osgood was nominated by her colleague, Sarah Lanahan, BSN, RN, for the compassion she provided not only to a patient, but also to Lanahan during a difficult experience:

“Lindsay took time during the code to pay extra attention to me, as his bedside nurse, checking to make sure I was ok doing compressions. She helped to ensure that the patient was shown dignity at the end of his life and quietly covered him to rest peacefully.  Lindsay then was a pure ray of sunshine, helping me to see comfort in the patient no longer suffering, asking if I was ok, breaking the code and giving a hug because it was needed. She then came back later to check to make sure I was ok. I have had Lindsay for rapid responses and other events, but she blew me away with her compassion.  She showed how as nurses and colleagues, we are stronger together.  She made a terrible event a little more bearable.”

Gisvel Pena, BSN, RN, Thoracic ICU

Gisvel Pena

Gisvel Pena was nominated by Kathleen Whelton, RN, nurse in charge for the Center for Labor and Birth, for the outstanding care she has provided throughout the pandemic. Pena previously worked in the Center for Labor and Birth, and her breadth and depth of professional experience enabled her to deliver exceptional care to a COVID patient who was pregnant and required intensive care.

Whelton wrote: “Gisvel was able to not only meet the patient’s complex medical needs as a person with severe COVID disease, but she was able to understand the unique needs of a pregnant woman who was also critically ill…Most importantly, Gisvel understands the concerns of pregnant women. The patient was heavily sedated, with no family to comfort her. Gisvel was able to talk to the patient and reassure her as much as possible that her baby was safe and well and that they were both being cared for to the best of our abilities.”

Tara Souza, BSN, RN, Center for Labor and Birth

Tara Souza

Tara Souza was nominated by a colleague who observed the ways she went above and beyond for a patient with complex needs who was experiencing a difficult labor and had no support from family.

Her nominator wrote: “She took her fear and frustration out on Tara. However, Tara was at her bedside all night. She provided as much emotional support as possible. She was patient and encouraging. Tara never left her and never gave up, even when the patient tried to give up.”

Sheri Zarrella, BSN, RN, Endoscopy

Sheri Zarrella

Sheri Zarrella was nominated by the family member of a patient who received care in one of the Special Pathogens ICUs.The nomination illustrates how COVID impacted this family and the patient’s end-of-life circumstances.

The family member wrote: “Sheri arranged for special workers to ‘Zoom’ me and my family so we could make the right decision. Sheri used her own phone to FaceTime me so we could say goodbye. She is truly an angel and one of our heroes.”