Natasha Oliveira and Melanie Rowe receive DAISY Awards

Earlier this month, Interim Chief Nursing and Patient Care Services Officer Christine Williams presented Natasha Oliveira, BSN, RN from Tower 2 SICU, and Melanie Rowe, MSN CRNA, from the Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine Department, with DAISY Awards. Rowe received the Nurse Leader Award.

A DAISY award is part of The DAISY Foundation, which is an international program that recognizes nursing excellence. In memory of their son, Patrick, the Barnes family recalled the skillful and compassionate care Patrick received from his nurses during his eight-week hospitalization. They wanted to say “thank you” to nurses everywhere by establishing a recognition program – the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses – to honor the super-human work nurses do every day at the bedside.

From Natasha’s nomination:

“Natasha is the best of what it means to be a nurse. She is humble, deeply compassionate, and tireless in her advocacy for her patients. Natasha is deserving of a DAISY award not for one instance of above and beyond care or one heroic gesture, but for a countless number of such instances.

There was the time that she was caring for a COVID+ patient who had just undergone an emergency pre-term c-section. The patient needed to be proned but could not tolerate it due to abdominal pain. Natasha built her a full-length body pillow out of blankets, pillows, and tape so that the patient could more comfortably lie in a semi-prone position.

Another time, there was the unhoused patient with a paralyzing cervical spine injury and severe burns. Natasha carefully and expertly cared for his wounds. When he decided to pursue comfort care but was afraid of being penalized because he declined organ donation, Natasha reassured him that no change in his quality of care would occur. When the provider wanted to rush terminal extubation because of the end of their shift, Natasha calmly but firmly insisted on waiting for the patient’s estranged family members to arrive so that he could say goodbye to them. This man was honored with a dignified death with his loved ones around him because of Natasha.

Natasha is not afraid to have hard conversations with patients or family members. She recently served as a primary nurse to a patient and family where the patient was a young man with a traumatic and devastating injury. Natasha was a consistent ray of light (the family’s words) and took the time to explain his care to them. She did not shy away from being realistic about the patient’s prognosis, even when it wasn’t what the family was hoping for. She demonstrated incredible courage and wisdom when she told the mother to go home and grieve for the boy she had lost. Although her son was expected to survive, Natasha understood that there was a disconnect between who he had been and who he would be in his recovery. She gave the mother permission to leave and encouraged her to care for herself, to find joy in her life and to grieve her loss so that she could prepare to be there for her son throughout the long road ahead of him.

I can think of so many more stories like this about Natasha.

Natasha is kind and patient with nursing students. She encourages them in small victories and successes and is incredibly willing to teach and support them on the unit. She is the first person in the room if a coworker is getting an admission, orange CHG wipes in hand, ready to help bathe, turn, and settle in a new patient. Natasha courageously, quietly, and relentlessly lives the best principles of what it means to be a UC Davis nurse. She brings the best of both her heart and her mind to her patients and coworkers with a joyful demeanor. It is a privilege to work with her.”

From Melanie’s nomination:

"Melanie Rowe, MSN, CRNA, is an extraordinary nurse anesthetist, role model, and leader in her profession. Mel is active in all aspects of advocating for CRNA practice at the state and national level. She is the practice director for the California Association of Nurse Anesthetists, advising and assisting members who are experiencing practice difficulties.

As the director, she guides the committee in reviewing nurse anesthesia practice in California and the implications concerning patient safety to formulate recommendations for consideration by the Board of Directors. Mel has been instrumental in Assembly bills that directly impact CRNA practice and APP practice throughout the state. She keeps members abreast of legislative and regulatory issues, payor and insurance changes, practice actions, and advocacy efforts. Mel is relentless in her stalwart leadership and professional involvement.

She has presented to the APPs, RNs, and student nurse anesthetists, as well as at various state and local professional venues. Mel is also a committed patient advocate, especially with those seeking reproductive health treatment options. She is an excellent provider on our CRNA staff and an honor to be with on this team. Mel embodies UC Davis Health’s high standards for nursing excellence and inclusive nursing care. She remains a role model for APPs and RNs alike.”

Congratulations to our DAISY Award winners, Natasha and Melanie!