WORCESTER, MA – Saint Vincent Hospital proudly announces its “Daisy Award” recipient as Jaclyn Esparza, RN of The Center for Women and Infants (CWI).

Saint Vincent Hospital leadership organized the surprise award celebration and ceremony where some of Jaclyn’s colleagues joined to recognize her with this honorable national recognition.

Jaclyn Esparza is a Registered Nurse in The Center for Women and Infants unit and is highly regarded by both patients and co-workers.

“Jaclyn is an exceptional nurse who consistently receives accolades from her patients,” said Jay Prosser Chief Nursing Officer. “We are proud of Jaclyn and her positive, compassionate care for mom and baby. She embodies the values of this award as a dedicated nurse that truly makes a difference for her patients.”

Her patient shared, “Jaclyn was a model caregiver as she nurtured and cared for me and our newborn. She brought evidenced based practice to the bedside through every conversation. She focused on maintaining the caring connection between mother and baby as she delivered her care allowing for baby and mother's adjustment to their new roles post-partum. She encouraged much needed rest while balancing all her nursing responsibilities seamlessly through clustered care. Jaclyn was a bright beam of sunshine through her humor and joyful spirit. She made our St. Vincent's experience exceptional in every way. We looked forward to seeing her walk into our room every morning of her shifts. When we left Saint Vincent, we felt like Jaclyn was family not just our nurse. We have never felt such care and compassion from any other nursing staff experience. Jaclyn truly is an amazing nurse and loving person. So thankful she was part of our St. Vincent's experience!”

The DAISY (acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Foundation was formed in November 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes who died of an autoimmune disease at the age of 33. The Barnes family were deeply touched by the kind and compassionate nursing care Patrick received throughout his many hospitalizations and established the DAISY award in Patrick’s honor and memory. Nurses are nominated by patients, families, and other members of the healthcare team. A committee reviews the nominations to identify who will be the DAISY recipient. A reception is held to honor the DAISY recipient who receives a hand carved “healing touch” statue, certificate, and DAISY pin, a banner signed by the DAISY recipient hangs on the nurse’s unit. Today the DAISY award is presented in over 54,000 healthcare organizations, and 35 countries and territories.