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.

Two Baylor nurses on purpose, passion, power of nursing

Each year for Nurses Week, the Houston Chronicle sponsors its special Salute to Nurses section, highlighting the community’s top nurses. In 2026, two nurses at Baylor and Texas Children’s Hospital were included on the Chronicle’s list of Top 15 nurses, and a third Baylor nurse was on the Top 200 list. They were honored along with other Houston nurses at an April 20 luncheon.

Get to know the Baylor honorees below.

Tasha Bryant, R.N., M.S.N., CCRN, FNP-BC
Instructor / Nurse Practitioner
Department of Pediatrics – Cardiology

Question: What made you decide to become a nurse?

Answer: I loved math in high school but was unsure what I wanted to major in. My mom, a respiratory therapist at the time, told me to be nurse. That’s just what I did. After a few years in the field, I realized through journaling that I was meant to be a nurse.

Q: How long have you worked at Baylor / Texas Children’s? What does your job entail?

A: I have worked at Texas Children’s Hospital since June 2001. In the past nearly 25 years, I’ve worked as a nurse in PICU, Float Pool educator and cardiology nurse practitioner. I became a Baylor instructor a few years into my nurse practitioner role, which I started in February 2010. I’ve worked in pediatric cardiology for my entire nurse practitioner career (16 years).

Q: What is your favorite thing about being a nurse at Baylor / Texas Children’s?

A: The care and expertise at both institutions are unmatched. We treat patients from all over who choose this organization and providers based on service, reputation and patient outcomes.

I love that TCH and Baylor prioritize professional development and innovation. Nurses and advanced practice providers have opportunities to expand their knowledge, serve on professional governance councils and committees, lead from where you are, and to lead by integrating evidence-based practice and innovation into practice change.

Q: What is the best thing about being a nurse? The most challenging?

A: The best thing about being a nurse is the ability to pivot. Nurses are everywhere. Nurses are at the bedside, in schools, in academia, in the C-suite, conducting research, on boards, in the community, speakers, and even in politics. You can align with your professional goals and contribute to the profession based on where you are as you move from novice to expert.

Nursing programs are challenging but worth it. I find it hard to leave work at work sometimes. We are all human and care about our patients, families and communities. Sometimes we want to solve all their problems. That’s where the team and interprofessional collaboration is helpful.

Bryant is passionate in her advocacy for professional and family caregivers and has even written a children’s book about the topic, “Nova Knows Caregiving.” “My main character is an innovative girl who discovers that she’s also a caregiver in her family. I’m hopeful the book will be helpful to families in the “sandwich generation” and for children to understand their contributions in caregiving,” Bryant said.

Marika Highberger, M.S.N., APRN, CPNP
Assistant Professor / Nurse Practitioner
Department of Pediatrics – Hematology / Oncology
Director, Urgent Care Bay, Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center

Question: What made you decide to become a nurse?

Answer: I had always wanted to be a pediatrician but then was diagnosed with leukemia at 18-years-old. After my illness, I wanted nothing to do with hospitals. Long story short… nursing found me after I had graduated with my bachelor’s degree and worked very hard to learn who I really was and approached life with genuine curiosity. I happened to walk into the school of nursing on a beautiful warm day in Milwaukee and struck up a conversation. I realized I had never considered that as a career and from day one of nursing school, I knew I had found my calling.

Q: How long have you worked at Baylor / Texas Children’s and in which area(s)? What does your job entail?

A: I have been at BCM / TCH since 2005. For an initial 13 years, I worked in the Bone Marrow Transplant Clinic and Unit, then 8 and 1/2 years ago, I transitioned to my current role as beacon coordinator with my clinical time spent in the Urgent Care Bay in the Cancer and Hematology Center. 

As one of three beacon coordinators, I work with the Cancer and Hematology clinical research office translating research into electronic orders to use within the Beacon-EPIC program.  This involves an arduous collaborative process blending safe clinical practice with technology.

As an Urgent Care Bay provider, I triage patients with acute issues while they are under the care of a hematologist or oncologist.

Q: What is your favorite thing about being a nurse at Baylor / Texas Children’s?

A: There is a culture of caring and sense of purpose for the best outcomes for all. I also love how this community remains a safe space for training nurses and clinicians early in their careers or just learning something new. There is always opportunity for growth.

Q: What is the best thing about being a nurse? The most challenging?

A: It has never felt like work and has always been a rewarding role where I am able to serve in a meaningful way. The challenges come in a variety of forms: when we don’t have answers, when we can’t defeat the disease, and when the emotional weight feels heavy as a human, a mother, a sister, a wife and balancing all of it to enjoy the life I’ve been fortunate to experience.  

Q: What would you tell a younger person considering nursing as a career?

A: It is the most humbling experience in life that will continue to feed your soul and life’s purpose. There are SO many ways to be a nurse. 

While recognition is humbling, Highberger notes that she prefers to shine the light on others.

“It may have my name on it, but I think it’s a moment to recognize how nursing, advance practice nursing, school nursing, nursing professors, labor and delivery nurses, military nursing, and the list goes on and on; they are the heart, they are the electricity that keeps the heart pumping, they are the vessels that feed all part of the human body. Protect them at all costs,” she said.

In addition to Bryant and Highberger, Baylor Medicine’s Brittany Rhoades, Ph.D., APRN, CCNS, FCNS, was included in the Houston Chronicle’s Top 200 nurses. Rhoades is an assistant professor and clinical nurse specialist in the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery – Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center.

See the Houston Chronicle Salute to Nurses special section.

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