Congratulations to March DAISY Award winner, Rowena Lacanilao, RN

As a designated Magnet hospital, Huntington Hospital is a recognized leader in nursing excellence. Every day,our nurses go above and beyond for our patients, and we are proud to recognize them for their efforts. Huntington Hospital’s March DAISY Award winner Rowena Lacanilao, RN, was nominated by a patient who wrote the following:

“I’m no stranger to hospitals. In addition to working in one, I’ve been in and out of them numerous times over the last year and a half while battling breast cancer. Ironically, my most recent stay was due to another condition completely unrelated to my cancer. But it also brought a wonderful nurse into my orbit. Rowena was my night shift nurse for two nights, and I will never forget her.

My cancer has left me with permanent nerve damage in my lower spinal cord, which interferes with my ability to sense when a bathroom visit is required. To my horror, this, when combined with antibiotics and my oral chemo medications, caused me to have an event my second night with Rowena. I thought, ‘This is it. There goes the shred of my dignity.’ But she was my superwoman!

She came in and calmly and professionally helped me clean up. She reassured me repeatedly that it was no big deal. She took my shame and embarrassment and used her kindness and empathy to spare my last bit of dignity. She transformed my pain, and I was left in tears, not because I was ashamed, but because Rowena found me at my lowest moment and lifted me back up above the waves.”

Congratulations, Rowena, for your well-deserved DAISY Award! For more information about the DAISY Award, please visit www.huntingtonhospital.com/daisyform.