Jefferson Health has announced its latest New Jersey recipients of the DAISY Award, an international recognition program that honors nurses for their extraordinary clinical skill and compassionate care. Recipients are selected by Jefferson’s Clinical Recognition Committee in New Jersey in order to celebrate team members who go “above and beyond” in delivering compassionate, patient-centered care.

“The compassionate and patient-centered approach of these honorees exemplifies the purpose of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, which recognizes nurses who combine exceptional clinical skill with extraordinary human connection,” said Kim Edson, DNP, MBA, MS, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, Chief Nursing Officer, Jefferson Health–East Region.

DAISY Award Honorees:

Deborah Dominy, BSN, RN, CCRN, an Intensive Care Unit nurse at Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital and a resident of Wenonah, New Jersey, received the DAISY Award after being nominated by a grateful patient who praised her calm presence and attentiveness during a frightening cardiac episode.

According to the nomination, Deborah listened closely to the patient and family, carefully reviewed physician orders, adjusted the patient’s intravenous medication, and helped to stabilize their heart rhythm and significantly improved their physical well-being. She also provided the patient with a copy of their electrocardiogram printout to share with their doctor closer to home. Deborah’s actions left a lasting impact on the patient and family, who described her as someone who saw “a person with a monitor attached, not a monitor with a person attached.”

Jane Dauito, BSN, RN, MEDSURG-BC, an MS-4 Unit nurse at Jefferson Washington Township Hospital and a resident of Vineland, New Jersey, also received the DAISY Award after being recognized by a grateful patient for the compassionate care she provided during a 10-day hospital stay.

The patient shared that Jane consistently informed them about their condition, answered questions with patience, and clarity, and took time to engage thoughtfully with the patient’s daughter throughout the hospitalization. Jane’s attentiveness, positivity, and dedication helped create a supportive environment during a physically and emotionally challenging experience. The nomination highlighted Jane’s ability to combine strong clinical care with meaningful human connection, helping ease anxiety and foster trust throughout the patient’s recovery process.

As part of an international recognition program, DAISY honorees are nominated by patients, family members and colleagues, then selected by Jefferson’s Clinical Recognition Committee in New Jersey following a review of the nominations. The nonprofit DAISY Foundation was established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died in 1999 from complications of an autoimmune disease. For more information, visit www.daisyfoundation.org.