Each year, nurses at Baylor Medicine are celebrated during National Nurses Week, and now there is a meaningful new way to recognize their exceptional contributions to the healthcare mission of the College.

2026 marked the first year for Baylor Medicine participation in the DAISY Award program, an international initiative to honor nurses for their compassionate patient care. Twenty-six Baylor Medicine nurses were nominated by patients and / or colleagues, and two nurses were the final selections to receive the inaugural DAISY Award. The nominees and two honorees were celebrated at a luncheon May 7 during Nurses Week, with gift bags, raffle prizes and sandwiches and treats, and the two winners received the Healer’s Touch sculpture from the DAISY Foundation.

The DAISY Award program was started in 1999 by the family of Patrick Barnes, who was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called immune thrombocytopenia and spent eight weeks in the hospital due to his condition, receiving exceptional nursing care from professionals who treated him with kindness and compassion. After Barnes died, his family wanted to honor him while also giving nurses the recognition they deserve. To date, more than 230,000 nurses worldwide have been honored.

Baylor Medicine nurses were nominated by patients, colleagues, physicians and leaders, and the nominations were evaluated by a committee based on “I CARE” criteria from the DAISY Award Committee Members: Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellence.

“There was a lot of enthusiasm around the DAISY program, and the nominations were touching, especially those from patients,” said Lisa Icard, Baylor Medicine director of nursing. “I would like to congratulate each and every one of you, and always remember the impact that you have,” she said at the celebration event.

Read excerpts from their nominations below.

Jessica Martinez, R.N., Department of Medicine – General Internal Medicine

“Jess always displays the most compassion and care in everything she does. Her priority is making sure patients are heard and she will go above and beyond, even missing her lunch period, if there is a task that needs any level of attention. In March, she did the impossible and got a durable medical device approved for a patient after hours of work. The family came the next week asking me specifically if there was a way we could recognize her for her care. It was perfect timing that the Daisy Award was just introduced.” – Dr. Ryan Thomas, assistant professor of medicine

“One of my patients was sick with a (gastrointestinal) infection after recent travel outside of the country and was feeling weak and ill. She called our clinic for a same-day appointment but unfortunately, we did not have any openings that same day. Jess has always been dedicated, diligent and cautious, and she scheduled her for an appointment for the following day with a colleague and asked my patient to be seen at an urgent care for evaluation for IV fluids and antibiotics so that there would be no delay in care. My patient went to urgent care, received appropriate care and canceled the follow-up appointment with our team due to clinical improvement. The patient forgot to let us know and update us on her symptoms. Jess called her the next day to follow up with them to make sure the patient received the care they needed. She made sure to close the loop and make sure my patient received the absolute best care possible. When my patient saw me weeks later, they mentioned Jess and her diligence. This is how Jess treats all of our patients. She is patient, diligent and thorough. I am so thankful to have Jess on our team. She routinely stays late to help, and we are so thankful to her. She deserves all the recognition for her quiet, persistent and compassionate care.” – Dr. Vani Potluri, assistant professor of medicine

Olevia Riley, R.N., Ambulatory Operations – Infusion

“I am a patient in the infusion clinic where I receive IV meds once a month. Olevia has been my infusion nurse for the past year. She is always so personable and makes everyone around her feel comfortable.

One particular day last year, I was having a rough morning. I am normally pretty pulled together, but that morning I was tearful when I sat down for my infusion. She noticed and not only brought me tissues, but she sat down and checked on me. She didn’t have to take time to sit and listen, but she did. Her patience, validation and support made all the difference that day.

Getting a two-hour IV once a month isn’t the most fun thing to do, but I find myself looking forward to my visits with Olevia. She is a treasure and, on top of that, she’s good at what she does. I’m sure there are hundreds of other patients like me who could share a similar story about Olevia. She is a wonderful nurse who deserves a Daisy Award every year!” – Patient nomination

“Ms. Olevia has always gone above and beyond for me ever since I started receiving my treatments here. She has always been kind, compassionate and very empathetic. Ms. Olevia has always made me comfortable and shows positivity no matter what could have impacted her. Not only is she compassionate and an amazing nurse to me but to other patients around. Just being able to see how kind and caring she is to everyone is why I want to nominate her for this award. Ms. Olevia always manages to keep a smile and shows positive gratitude toward me.” – Patient nomination

The other Daisy Award nominees were: Alexis Aguilar, Texas Heart Institute at Baylor College of Medicine; Amelia Guajardo, otolaryngology; Analissa Ovalle, ambulatory operations – diagnostic services; Angela Waddy, gastroenterology; Ann Le, general internal medicine; Charnel Anderson, family medicine; Destini Taylor, medicine – cardiology; Dionne Calvin, medicine – immunology, allergy and rheumatology; Esmeralda Badillo, otolaryngology; Jennicel Pangandoyon, otolaryngology; Jennifer Johnson, ambulatory operations – infusion; Kesha LeBron, ambulatory operations – infusion; Kim Taylor, ambulatory operations; Lavinia Culbreath, urology; Lydia Hafer, ambulatory operations – infusion; Miriam Everett, ambulatory operations – diagnostic services; Nichole Stewart, physical medicine and rehabilitation; Nicole Thomas, ambulatory operations – infusion; Nicolette Olivier, ambulatory operations – infusion; Rachael Reynolds, otolaryngology; Rochelle Fontenot, ambulatory operations – infusion; Savannah Serrato, otolaryngology; Tracy Fletcher-Davies, family medicine; Wendy Hammerman, family medicine.

By Dana Benson, director of communications in the Office of Communications and Community Outreach