Awards and Recognition
DAISY Award
Nominate a deserving recipient of The DAISY Award
This nurse’s clinical skill and especially her/his compassionate care exemplify the kind of nurse that our patients, their families, and our staff recognize as an outstanding role model. She/he consistently meets all of the following criteria:
- Establishes that special connection between his/her patient and their family which demonstrates the trust, care and compassion of the nurse-patient-family relationship
- Has a positive attitude and demonstrates professionalism in the work environment
- Collaborates with the health care team to meet the patient’s and the family’s needs
- Exhibits excellent interpersonal skills with his/her patient, family, peers and co-workers
- Lives the RWJUH Somerset values of Commitment, Understanding, Learning, Trust, Unity, Respect and Empathy
Links
2026 Nurse Excellence Awards:
- 2026 Magnet Nurse of the Year Award: Natividad Refuerzo Aguila, BSN, RN, MEDSURG-BC
- Transformational Leadership Award: Monika Ramirez, MSN, RN, PCCN
- Exemplary Professional Practice Award: Patricia Benoit, BSN, RN, MEDSURG-BC
- Structural Empowerment Award: Stroke Committee
- New Knowledge, Innovations, and Improvements Award: Hong Zhang, BSN, RN, SCRN
- Community Outreach Award: Sarah Kish, BSN, RN
- Advanced Practice Provider Award: Edward Macharia, DNP, RN, APN, AGACNP-BC
- Nursing Technician/Technologist Award: Louis Szabo
- Friend of Nursing Award: Jaime Paredes
2025 Nurse Excellence Awards:
- 2025 Magnet Nurse of the Year Award: Maria Potestas, BSN, RN, CCRN
- Transformational Leadership Award: Jennifer Lettieri, MSN, RN CCNR, SCRN
- Exemplary Professional Practice Award: Jennifer Higgins, BSN, RN, CCRN
- Structural Empowerment Award: RRT Committee
- New Knowledge, Innovations, and Improvements Award: Jocelyn Accetta, BSN, RN
- Community Outreach Award: Ashley Hernandez, ASN, RN
- Advanced Practice Provider Award: Samantha Brocato, MSN, RN, APN, FNP-BC
- Nursing Technician/Technologist Award: Lateacha Royer
- Friend of Nursing Award: Malgorzata Fraczek
2024 Nurse Excellence Awards:
- 2024 Magnet Nurse of the Year Award: Patty Kasher, BSN, RN, RN-BCSame Day Center
- Transformational Leadership Award: Kaitlyn Gray, MSN, RN, RN-BCCPDIR
- Exemplary Professional Practice Award: Patricia Sonsiadek, MSN, RN, ACM, CCDCare Management
- Structural Empowerment Award: Wound Resource Committee
- New Knowledge, Innovations, and Improvements Award: Conchita Macaro, BSN, RN, RN-BCPACU
- Community Outreach Award: Peachie Miranda, BSN, RNSpecial Procedures/Radiology
- Advanced Practice Provider Award: Christopher Johnstone, MSN, RN, APN, ACNP-BC Allied Health Professionals & House Coverage
- Nursing Technician / Technologist Award: Nicholas Falgiano ED Crisis Center/Behavioral Health
- Friend of Nursing Award: Ryan Norman, MI, AHIPMedical Library
2023 Nurse Excellence Awards:
- 2023 Magnet Nurse of the Year Award: Maisy Koshy, BSN, RN, CCRN
- Transformational Leadership Award: Eileen Allen, MSN, RN, RN-BC
- Exemplary Professional Practice Award: Heather De Bari, BSN, RN, RNC-OB
- Structural Empowerment Award: 4 West Unit Based Practice Council
- New Knowledge, Innovations, and Improvements Award: Maria Potestas, BSN, RN, CCRN
- Community Outreach Award: Rosemarie Gungon, BSN, RN
- Advanced Practice Provider Award: Martha Kelly, MSN, APN, RN, ACNP-BC
- Nursing Technician/Technologist Award: Kwadwo Brako
- Friend of Nursing Award: John Perone
2022 Nurse Excellence Awards
- 2022 Magnet Nurse of the Year Award: Hong Zhang, BSN, RN, SCRN
- Transformational Leadership Award: Kimberly McKevitt, BSN, RN, CWON, WCC, OMS
- Exemplary Professional Practice Award: Jennifer Higgins, BSN, RN, CCRN
- Structural Empowerment Award: Infection Prevention Council
- New Knowledge, Innovations, and Improvements Award: Patricia Perna, ASN, RN, RNC-OB
- Community Outreach Award: Tina Horton, MSN, RN, CNL, SCRN
- Advanced Practice Provider Award: Daisy Cardoso, MSN, RN, APRN, FNP-BC
- Nursing Technician/Technologist Award: Christian Salazar
- Friend of Nursing Award: Kirk Laurence
2021 Nurse Excellence Awards
- 2021 Magnet Nurse of the Year Award: Ma. Arlene Azores, BSN, RN, RNC-LRNN
- Transformational Leadership Award: Brittany Roper, BSN, RN, CCRN
- Exemplary Professional Practice Award: Edith Gamayo, BSN, RN-BC
- Structural Empowerment Awards: Ortho Pavilion Unit Based Practice Council
- New Knowledge, Innovations, and Improvements Award: Liza Davidov, BSN, RN, CCRN
- Community Outreach Award: Maria Corella, BSN, RN
- Advanced Practice Provider Award: Megan Madara, MSN, APN-c
- Nursing Technician/Technologist Award: Robert Raggi
- Friend of Nursing Award: Jack Fulton
2020 Nurse Excellence Awards
- 2020 Magnet Nurse of the Year: Danica de Guzman, BSN, RN, PCCN
- Transformational Leadership Award: Kathleen Edge, BSN, RN, PCCN, CCRN
- Exemplary Professional Practice Award: Geraldine Contreras, MSN, RN-BC
- Structural Empowerment Award: DAISY® Award Committee
- New Knowledge, Innovations, and Improvements Award: Sophie Robicheau, ASN, RN OCN
- Community Outreach Award: Maria Theresa Domider, BSN, RN-BC
- Advance Practice Provider Award: Shankari Ravichandran, DNP, RN, APN, FNP-BC
- Nursing Technician/ Technologist: Mariselva Oyola
- Friend of Nursing: Kristoffer Bryans
2019 Nurse Excellence Awards
- 2019 Magnet Nurse of the Year: Jennifer Tinn, BSN, RN, CCRN
- Transformational Leadership: Laura Smith, BSN, RN, CNRN
- Exemplary Professional Practice Award: Galina Saburova, BSN, RN, ONC
- Structural Empowerment Award: Magnet® Enculturation Council
- New Knowledge, Innovations, and Improvements Award: Megan Allen, MSN, RN-BC, CCM, CCDS
- Community Outreach Award: Rhonda Lane, BSN, RN
- Advanced Practice Provider Award: Simona Schneider, MSN, RN, APN, ANP-BC, CBEC
- Nursing Technician/ Technologist Award: Megan Carley
- Friend of Nursing Award: CJ Cruz
