Northern California Extraordinary Nurse Award
The Northern California Extraordinary Nurse Award Program recognizes and honors 34 individuals each year who exemplify professionalism, compassion, teamwork, excellence, integrity, and patient- and family-centric care in their practice.
Clinical Adult Services
Monica Chen, BSN, RN
Staff Nurse IV, Wound Care
Friends of Nursing – Direct Care Partner
Donna Balaguer
Unit Assistant, Intensive Care Unit
The DAISY Nurse Leader Award
The DAISY Nurse Leader Award shines a light on nurse leaders — directors, managers, assistant managers, and educators — who don’t generally have direct patient care as part of their work and create an environment where compassionate, skillful care thrives.
Gigi Bautista-Newsome, BSN, RN, CCRN
Jennifer Padilla, BSN, MHA, RN, CHWL
The DAISY Award® for Extraordinary Nurses
The DAISY Award® recognizes the compassion and care nurses provide to patients and families.
Resmi Biju, RN
Janelle Cabana, RN
Jessica Curry, CRNA
Matthew Demarest, RN III
Mary Kitchens, RN
Dyna Lingat, RN
Petra Muller, RN
Jennifer Rom, RN III
Frania Ronquillo, RN
Amy Taylor, RN
Chris Van Dalen, RN
Mali Zarch, RN
The DAISY Team Award
The DAISY Team Award honors collaboration by 2 or more people led by a nurse who identifies and meets patient and/or patient family needs by going above and beyond the traditional role of the nurse.
Acute Care Obstetrics
Department 435
Labor and Delivery
Pre- and Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PPACU)
PETAL Award
The Performing Exceptional Tasks and Affirming Lives (PETAL) Award honors our partners in care. It recognizes the hard work of caregivers in non-nursing roles, from housekeeping and dietary services, who partner with nurses to deliver excellent, compassionate care for our members and the community.
Melissa Sharp, RRT, RCP
Safest Unit Awards 2025
The Safest Unit Award is a recognition program that honors the hospital unit demonstrating exceptional commitment to patient safety and quality care.
Q1: NICU & Department 210 MedSurg/Tele
Q2: Pediatrics Department 320
Q3: Department 235 MedSurg
Golden Shoe Award
The Golden Shoe Award is a recognition program designed to celebrate excellence in early mobility efforts within patient care. This award symbolizes the commitment to improving patient outcomes through movement and embodies the principle that every step matters.
Q1: Department 335 MedSurg/Tele
Q2: Department 210 MedSurg/Tele
Q3: Department 430 MedSurg
Parade of Posters Winners 2025
The Parade of Posters is an annual showcase celebrating nursing excellence, innovation, and collaboration. It highlights evidence-based projects and quality improvement initiatives that advance patient care, enhance nurse satisfaction, and promote professional practice. Winners are recognized across categories such as Structural Empowerment, Transformational Leadership, Exemplary Professional Practice, and New Knowledge & Innovations, reflecting the commitment to continuous improvement and leadership in healthcare.
RDO/IRB – Structural Empowerment
Project Title: Enhancing Nurse Job Satisfaction: Team Strategies for Improved Performance and Patient Safety
Authors: Katie Rolins, MPH, BSN, RN
RDO/IRB – Transformational Leadership
Project Title: The Brilliancy of Creating an Authentic Connection: A Research Study
Authors: Katherine Ricossa, PhD, MS, RN, PHN; Janet Sohol, DNP, RN, NEA-BC
RDO/IRB – Exemplary Professional Practice
Project Title: Quality Improvement Approach to Thermoregulation in NICU
Authors: Ying Chun Chen, MSN, RN IV, RNC-NICU; Jessica Matei, MSN, ACCNS-P, RNC-NIC, PHN; Carmen Wright, BSN, RN IV, RNC-NIC, C-ELBW; Susan Ossello, BSN, RN IV; Rachel Yanez, BSN, RN IV; Karen Wood, BSN, RN II
RDO/IRB – New Knowledge, Innovation & Improvements
1st Place
Impact of CHG Bathing in CAUTI Prevention
Authors: Jane G. Vergara, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CMSRN, OCN
2nd Place
Improving Nursing Satisfaction with New Turning Wedge to Reduce HAPI
Authors: Monica Chen, BSN, RN, CWOCN, CFCN
3rd Place
Something Stinks! A Tracheostomy Care Quality Improvement Project in the PICU
Authors: Julie Avilla, BSN, RN IV, CPN; Jennifer DeLozier Smith, DNP, RN, CNS, CPNP PC/AC
Non-RDO – Structural Empowerment
1st Place
Crafting in the NICU
Authors: Frania Ronquillo, RN; Verona Chiutena, MSN, RNC-NIC, CNL
2nd Place
Hit a Handoff Homer: Cover All the Bases – Bedside Handoff and Beyond
Authors: Yvette Dobson, BSN, RN IV, PCCN; Christine Puffpuff, BSN, RN IV; Arianne Madayag, BSN, RN III; Honey Varghese, MSN, RN
3rd Place
Empowering the ACO Staff to Embrace Self-Care that Encompasses the Whole Being
Authors: Amy He, RN II; Araceli C. Marinshaw, RN IV, RNC-MNN; Bonnie Perez, BSN, RN, CLE; Hue Tran, RN II; Jaymi Jinguji, BSN, RN II; Lisa Davenport, BSN, RN III, IBCLC; Meenu Agroia, MSN, PHN, RNC-MNN, IBCLC; Mia Buciak, BSN, RN II, CLE; Shariene Sessions, BSN, RN II
RDO/IRB – Structural Empowerment
Project Title: Enhancing Nurse Job Satisfaction: Team Strategies for Improved Performance and Patient Safety
Authors: Katie Rolins, MPH, BSN, RN
RDO/IRB – Transformational Leadership
Project Title: The Brilliancy of Creating an Authentic Connection: A Research Study
Authors: Katherine Ricossa, PhD, MS, RN, PHN; Janet Sohol, DNP, RN, NEA-BC
RDO/IRB – Exemplary Professional Practice
Project Title: Quality Improvement Approach to Thermoregulation in NICU
Authors: Ying Chun Chen, MSN, RN IV, RNC-NICU; Jessica Matei, MSN, ACCNS-P, RNC-NIC, PHN; Carmen Wright, BSN, RN IV, RNC-NIC, C-ELBW; Susan Ossello, BSN, RN IV; Rachel Yanez, BSN, RN IV; Karen Wood, BSN, RN II
RDO/IRB – New Knowledge, Innovation & Improvements
1st Place
Impact of CHG Bathing in CAUTI Prevention
Authors: Jane G. Vergara, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CMSRN, OCN
2nd Place
Improving Nursing Satisfaction with New Turning Wedge to Reduce HAPI
Authors: Monica Chen, BSN, RN, CWOCN, CFCN
3rd Place
Something Stinks! A Tracheostomy Care Quality Improvement Project in the PICU
Authors: Julie Avilla, BSN, RN IV, CPN; Jennifer DeLozier Smith, DNP, RN, CNS, CPNP PC/AC
Non-RDO – Structural Empowerment
1st Place
Crafting in the NICU
Authors: Frania Ronquillo, RN; Verona Chiutena, MSN, RNC-NIC, CNL
2nd Place
Hit a Handoff Homer: Cover All the Bases – Bedside Handoff and Beyond
Authors: Yvette Dobson, BSN, RN IV, PCCN; Christine Puffpuff, BSN, RN IV; Arianne Madayag, BSN, RN III; Honey Varghese, MSN, RN
3rd Place
Empowering the ACO Staff to Embrace Self-Care that Encompasses the Whole Being
Authors: Amy He, RN II; Araceli C. Marinshaw, RN IV, RNC-MNN; Bonnie Perez, BSN, RN, CLE; Hue Tran, RN II; Jaymi Jinguji, BSN, RN II; Lisa Davenport, BSN, RN III, IBCLC; Meenu Agroia, MSN, PHN, RNC-MNN, IBCLC; Mia Buciak, BSN, RN II, CLE; Shariene Sessions, BSN, RN II
Non-RDO – Exemplary Professional Practice
1st Place
Nurse-Led Approach to Prevent CLABSIs
Authors: Kimberly Fong, BSN, RN III; Jenn Kersheys de Leon, BSN, RN II; Reina Mabanta, BSN, RN, ANM
2nd Place
Reducing Surgical Anxiety for Pediatric Patients with Recuperative Mask Scent Selection
Authors: Rasmin Day Guevara, BSN, RN IV, CAPA; Kimberly Ambas, BSN, RN IV; Lovely Marvel, BSN, RN II, CAPA; Jeong Hee Kim Shaw, RN IV, CCRN, SCRN, CAPA, CPAN; Suma Kuramkote, MD; Judy Moreno, MSN, RN, CPAN, RN-BC, CHWL
3rd Place
Skin Assessment Matters
Authors: Suki Dhillon, DNP, MSN, RN, PCCN; Nancy Estacio, BSN, RN; Krysthel Peregrino, BSN, RN
Non-RDO – New Knowledge, Innovation & Improvements
1st Place
Kangaroo-a-thon: Embracing the Power of Skin-to-Skin Care in the NICU
Authors: Evelyn Gorman, BSN, RN, RNC-NIC, CLE; Jessica Matei, MSN, ACCNS-P, RNC-NIC, PHN; Leanne Medeiros, BSN, RN, RNC-NIC, CLE; Carrie Adler, MSN, RN, IBCLC
2nd Place
Incorporating Foot and Nail Care into Practice
Authors: Monica Chen, RN, BSN, CWOCN, CFCN; Tran Madero, RN, MSN, CNL, CWON, CFCN
3rd Place
Impact of Patient Education on Number of Falls in Telemetry Stroke Department
Authors: Rosita Villalpando, BSN, RN, PCCN; Lily Workeneh, BSN, RN; Sarah Shin, BSN, RN; Therese Glinoga, BSN, RN; Merlene Lanuzo, BSN, RN; Juliana Gidado, MSN, RN, SCRN; Mars Ebrada-Mapanao, BSN, RN; Pia Sto. Tomas, BSN, RN
Special Awards
Most Creative
Crafting in the NICU
Authors: Frania Ronquillo, RN; Verona Chiutena, MSN, RNC-NIC, CNL
Most Interdisciplinary
Hit a Handoff Homer: Cover All the Bases at Bedside Handoff and Beyond
Authors: Yvette Dobson, BSN, RN IV, PCCN; Christine Puffpuff, BSN, RN IV; Arianne Madayag, BSN, RN III; Honey Varghese, MSN, RN
Nurses Choice
Revive and Thrive: A Wellness Lounge to Promote Nurse Well-Being – Liberty Hilario, MSN, RN, CPN; Karen Larioza, ADN, RN III; Julie Pomeroy, BSN, RN III; Cassandra Roudpeyma, BSN, RN III; Julie Avilla, BSN, RN IV
AND
Managing Stress and Burnout Among Nurses
Authors: Francis Lim, BSN, RN IV; Rupal Kalani, BSN, PCCN, RN IV; Michelle Wang, BSN, RN II; Jessica Flores, BSN, RN II; Crystal Sun, BSN, RN II
Nurse Excellence Awards
The Nursing Excellence Awards program recognizes nurses and care partners who demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment to high-quality, compassionate care.
Donna Balaguer, Regional Nursing Excellence Award Winner, Unit Assistant, Medical ICU
Shanika Bonilla, BSN, RN, Extraordinary Nurse – Ambulatory, Charge Nurse, OPPC
Michael Brackle, BSN, RN, CPAN, Autism Care Excellence Award, Staff Nurse II SH, PPACU
Natividad Canton, BSN, RN, CCRN, Emerging Nurse Leader, Assistant Nurse Manager, Medical ICU
Monica Chen, BSN, RN, CWOCN, CFCN, Regional Nursing Excellence Award Winner, Staff Nurse IV SH, Wound Care
Liberty Hilario, MSN, RN, CPN, Excellence in Professional Development, Staff Nurse IV, NICU Pt Transfer
Yan Liong, RN, Extraordinary Nurse-Inpatient, Staff Nurse IV, 435
Stacey Martinez, BSN, RN, Excellence in Nursing Leadership, Assistant Nurse Manager, ACO
Jessica Matei, MSN, ACCNS-P, RNC-NIC, PHN, Excellence in Quality & Safety, Clinical Nurse Specialist, NPD
Celia Medina, Friend of Nursing, Unit Assistant, 135
Caring Moments
The Caring Moments Recognition Program, managed by Dawn Wiley-Thrall, honors our nurses and staff who go above and beyond to provide exceptional care and create outstanding experiences for our patients and their loved ones.
Anna Abalos, RN IV, Department 235, April and May 2025 Star
“I extend my deepest appreciation for Anna, whose incredible support, kind words, and genuine care lifted my spirits during a challenging time and made a world of difference.”
Mario Biol, RN IV, Pediatrics, June 2025 Star
“I sincerely appreciate Mario for his outstanding care, warm presence, and kindness in supporting us during a difficult time with painful treatment side effects.”
Dina Marvulli, RN III, Labor and Delivery, July 2025 Star,
“At 38 weeks pregnant, I faced an unexpected delivery and missed my graduation, but Dina’s thoughtful gesture gave me a sense of closure and celebration before welcoming my child.”
Julie Park, RN II, Department 235, March 2025 Star,
“Nurse Julie’s compassion, expertise, and unwavering dedication made me feel truly cared for, setting the benchmark for exceptional quality care.”
Maria Zaragoza, Home Healthcare Nurse II, February 2025
“Since my mom’s stroke in March 2020, Maria has been an exceptional, uplifting nurse whose skill, compassion, and professionalism have made every visit a source of comfort and care for our family.”