Gaylord Specialty Healthcare Names Quarterly DAISY Awardee

Gaylord Specialty Healthcare, a nonprofit rehabilitation-focused healthcare system based in Wallingford, presented its quarterly DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Care to Wethersfield resident Andrea Santos, MSN, RN.

She was nominated by a student nurse tech who wrote that over the past year, Santos has been an amazing mentor and role model who continually demonstrates patience, empathy and compassion.

“I have learned so much as she tried to find a way to create a learning opportunity each time I worked with her. I feel that Andrea is a great asset to not only our patients but as a role model for future nurses like me,” she wrote.

“Andrea demonstrates excellence by taking time to listen to any concerns or questions from patients and families … she will not stop until she finds the answer or solution. Andrea has demonstrated selflessness on many occasions and is truly committed to being the best nurse she can be.”

Santos was also recognized for the care of one particular patient who became very anxious and began to experience shortness of breath. Although the respiratory therapist arrived to take control of the situation, Andrea remained to provide reassurance and help the very grateful patient stay calm.

Gaylord Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer Lisa Kalafus, MSN, BSN, RN, said, “If we had more nurses like Andrea, healthcare would be in a better place. Many nurses provide outstanding patient care. Andrea not only does that but takes the time to nurture and mentor our new and future nurses. She is an outstanding role model!”

Santos explained that going to work at Gaylord Specialty Healthcare – where she has been employed for 14 years – feels more like “being with a second family than at a job.”

“As nurses, we do our jobs based on our desire to care for people the way we would want to be cared for ourselves,” she said. “There is nothing more rewarding than seeing my patients progress and recover after a critical illness. This recognition is a wonderful way to remind myself that I am making a difference, which will always be my priority.”

About the DAISY Award:

The international award was created by the DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Foundation in memory of J. Patrick Barnes who died of an auto-immune disease in 1999. Appreciative of the clinical skills, caring and compassion exhibited by each of the nurses who cared for Patrick, the Barnes family created the international award and foundation to say ‘thank you’ to nurses throughout the world.

About Gaylord Specialty Healthcare:

Gaylord Specialty Healthcare is a rehabilitation-focused, nonprofit health system located in Wallingford, Connecticut, that provides inpatient and outpatient care for people at every point in their journey from illness or injury to maximum recovery.

Gaylord Specialty Healthcare is anchored by Gaylord Hospital, a long-term acute care hospital, and includes Gaylord Outpatient Services and Gaylord Physical Therapy for patients who require diagnosis and treatment on an outpatient basis. Together, these entities deliver a complete continuum of rehab care driven by technology, research, clinical experience, and human compassion. For more information visit www.gaylord.org.