2026 Quarter 2 DAISY Award WINNER!

CONGRATULATIONS to our Quarter 2 DAISY Award Winner, ICU RN Ches!!!

Ches came to us first as a travel RN before joining our team permanently as a night shift ICU Nurse. He has been a foundational piece at WVMC and a great source of knowledge for others. He serves as a preceptor and a leader for those around him. But even more importantly, Ches delivers exceptional patient care and it was evident in this nomination that a family member wrote:

“My brother Scott was admitted to the ICU after midnight on Friday May 15, 2026. Scott is developmentally disabled and autistic and was being treated for sepsis and aspiration pneumonia. He didn’t really understand what was happening and was very anxious in the ER because of all of the noise and activity, as well as all of the invasive treatments (monitors/IVs) that were needed to help treat him. Ches was Scott’s night shift nurse and he took the time to talk to Scott and listen to him. He helped Scott learn how to press the call button to request help when he needed it. Ches also took the time to talk to me (Scott’s sister) about what was happening with Scott and his treatment. Ches went above and beyond and made up the pull-out chair/bed for me so that I could sleep a little. Scott became very comfortable with Ches, so much so that Scott was able to start joking around with him (something he doesn’t easily do unless he feels comfortable). Ches listened to my concerns about the stress it would cause for Scott to have

 to move rooms because of his autism and anxiety moving would cause, and he did his best to advocate for Scott to stay in the ICU where he was familiar with staff and the environment. Scott ultimately had to move to another room, but Ches went above and beyond and came to visit Scott in his new room before and after his shift. Seeing his familiar face and hearing his calming voice helped Scott so much because he was having a difficult time adjusting to all of the changes. We just can’t thank Ches enough for his excellent care in the ICU, as well as everything he did to help us through a very difficult time.”

We are fortunate here at Willamette Valley Medical Center to be able to partner with the DAISY Program and be able to honor the care that our nurses provide. The DAISY Award was started over 26 years ago in 1999 after the family of Patrick Barnes started the DAISY Foundation in honor of their son who passed away after complications of an autoimmune disorder. D.A.I.S.Y is the acronym coming from Diseases Attacking the Immune SYstem. Although the loss of Patrick was extremely difficult, the family felt called to find a way to honor the nurses who cared for him during his long hospital stay. Thus, the DAISY Award was born. This award has now spread across the globe, recognizing nurses from all areas who provide compassionate, quality care to patients.

Ches, you embody all aspects of the Daisy Award and we are honored to celebrate the great work that you do! Congratulations on a well-deserved recognition and keep up the strong work!