Oncology nurse navigator Carol Leija wins DAISY Award

Carol Leija, an oncology nurse navigator, received a big surprise when she came to work at the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center on September 16, 2021. Dozens of colleagues, friends and family were on hand to witness her receive The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.

The award was presented to her by Chief Patient Care Officer Toby Marsh in recognition for “going above and beyond,” assisting leukemia patients on their treatment journey.

“Carol is the quintessential patient advocate,” said Marsh before presenting her with a certificate and a sculpture depicting a nurse and patient. “In her role as nurse navigator, Carol bridges acute leukemia patients from inpatient to outpatient care after chemotherapy. Acute leukemia treatment is rigorous, and this vulnerable population has tremendous health care needs.”

About the DAISY Award

The DAISY Award was established after a patient named Patrick Barnes died from an auto-immune disease following two bouts with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Barnes’ wife wanted to recognize the memory of the extraordinary nursing he received at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. What started as a pilot program has become a national nursing recognition award program, offering patients, families, and professional colleagues a way to honor nurses for all they do. The DAISY awardees consistently demonstrate excellence through their clinical expertise and extraordinary compassionate care.

Colleagues recognizing team members

Mia Wilson, a survivorship nurse navigator who works with Leija at the cancer center, nominated her for The DAISY Award.

“As a nurse, I feel that one of the biggest compliments we as healthcare providers can receive is when a colleague or patient tells you that they would want you to take care of a loved one. This is how I feel about Carol. If I or someone I love were to develop leukemia, I would want Carol there to help navigate the complicated landscape of hematologic malignancy,” said Wilson.

Nurses, nurse practitioners, family, and friends (some via Zoom) participated in the ceremony held in the courtyard between the two wings of the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center.