DAISY Award Recipients
St. John’s Recognizes Four Outstanding Nurses
St. John’s Hospitals Announce First DAISY Award Recipients
Nurses Honored for Excellence and Compassionate Care
Oxnard, Calif. – Shaula Carbajal, RN, Christine Craver, RN, Precy Farillas, RN and Christina Geluz, RN are St. John’s Hospitals’ first DAISY Award winners. The DAISY Award is a national honor that recognizes the extraordinary contributions and compassionate care of nurses.
DAISY Award Honorees
Shaula Carbajal, RN, a pediatrics and medical surgery nurse at St. John’s in Oxnard, was nominated by a colleague for her excellent patient care and her collaboration with colleagues. In addition to the outstanding services she provides as a nurse, Shaula’s coworkers benefit by the care she offers them as well. She is a constant resource to all who come in contact with her. Most recently, she provided emotional support to a colleague during a very difficult time. Shaula’s compassionate and generous presence is commendable.
“I am shocked and humbled to have been chosen as a DAISY recipient,” said Shaula. “It feels great to be recognized, but lending a hand to colleagues is part of what I love doing every day.”
Shaula, a natural humanitarian, first discovered her love for nursing during her time as a pediatric medic for the U.S. Army. First-hand experiences of how nurses made a difference in so many peoples’ lives motivated Shaula to pursue a nursing degree. Shaula obtained her associate degree at Ventura College and completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at California State University, Channel Islands. She is currently working toward a master’s degree at California State University, Dominguez Hills. Shaula has been with St. John’s for three years.
“Nursing is my passion,” said Shaula. “I can’t see myself doing anything else. I love my profession because at the end of the day, I can say I’ve made a difference in someone’s life.”
Christine Craver, RN, a nurse in the telemetry unit at St. John’s in Oxnard, was recognized for being a true patient advocate. Recently, Christine coordinated and helped carry out a final sacred experience for one of her patients. When her patient’s goal changed from full treatment to the focus of comfort, Christine went above and beyond to ensure her patient had one final sacred encounter. Christine knew from family that her patient loved the outdoors so she coordinated the patient’s transfer so the patient could have one last moment to pause and reflect in the Hiji Family Healing Garden – the patient passed away later that day. The sacred encounter she created for her patient exemplifies the compassionate nurse that she is every day.
“For me, it is very important to take the time to listen to my patients’ stories and get to know them in order to understand their needs,” said Christine. “As nurses, we are the eyes and ears for doctors and advocates for our patients’ needs.”
Christine joined St. John’s two years ago as a recent nursing graduate from California State University, Channel Islands. Although she has only been with St. John’s Hospitals since 2010, her dedication and compassion are already making significant impressions on those around her.
“I love working on 2 South,” said Christina. “I couldn’t think of a better place to work. Everyone here deserves a DAISY. It just happens I was chosen this time around.”
Precy Farillas, RN, an emergency department nurse at St. John’s in Oxnard, was nominated by a coworker for the dignity with which she treats patients and the sacred encounters she creates. Most recently, a patient came into the emergency department with extensive physical and medical needs. While at St. John’s, the patient needed assistance bathing. Precy gathered her bathing materials without hesitation to assist the patient. An encounter such as this can be mortifying for a patient, but Precy’s gracious demeanor and compassion let the patient know that her dignity was being respected. Precy’s professional and compassionate approach to all who come through our doors is admirable.
“Taking care of people is my passion, it doesn’t matter who they are,” said Precy. “For me, helping others is the most rewarding thing on earth.”
Precy has over 35 years of nursing experience and has been with St. John’s since 1988, but her compassion extends beyond the walls of our hospitals. Having come from poverty in the Philippines, Precy knows all too well the difference an education can make in the life of a child. She sponsors children in the Philippines so they can attend school, and so far, she has sponsored six students through college. She does all of this by donating her own money and recycling disposed cans from the ER. Precy is a true humanitarian and her actions are admirable.
Christina Geluz, RN, a subacute care nurse at St. John’s in Camarillo, was recognized as a DAISY Award recipient after being nominated by ten different colleagues. Among the many nomination accolades given to Christina, the general consensus was that her compassionate, caring, and positive attitude makes her an exceptional leader and a role model for other nurses. One of her colleagues noted that Christina’s love for her patients and the extent to which she goes to ensure they are comfortable in every aspect is admirable. During one particular instance, her patient was uneasy because her cell phone charger was not working. Christina reached out to colleagues and family members to try and find a replacement, and eventually she bought a new charger with her own money to ensure her patient had what she needed. While having a cell phone was not vital to the health of her patient, Christina knew it was important to her patient and her emotional well-being.
Christina has graciously dedicated 20 years of her nursing career to the Subacute Care Unit at St. John’s and continually does her best to care for her patients, their families and her colleagues. When patients ask who the charge nurse for the night shift will be, they always smile when they find out it will be Christina. Her honest and gentle nature consistently creates a healing environment for patients and all those around her.
“Being one of the first DAISY Award recipients has been a humbling experience,” said Christina. “Every day that I go to work I aim to do my best because it’s my passion, I never expect to be recognized for it, for that I am thankful.”
About the DAISY Award
Up to three nurses at each campus will be selected every quarter to receive the DAISY Award at St. John’s Hospitals. Each DAISY honoree is recognized through a program administered by the hospitals’ Cultural Development Council. At a presentation before the nurses’ colleagues, the honorees receive a beautiful African Shona Tribe sculpture entitled “A Healer’s Touch,” an award pin, a certificate and a bouquet of daisies.
The DAISY Award was established by the DAISY Foundation in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at 33 of an auto-immune disease. His family was so impressed by the clinical skills, caring and compassion of the nurses who cared for him that they created this national award to say thank you to nurses everywhere. For more information, go to www.daisyfoundation.org.