Recognizing September and October Daisy Award Recipients

The DAISY Award is an international program that rewards and celebrates the extraordinary compassion and skillful care given by nurses every day. Adventist Health and Rideout is proud to be a DAISY Award partner.

DAISY Award honorees personify the remarkable Adventist Health and Rideout patient experience. These nurses consistently demonstrate excellence through their clinical expertise and extraordinary compassionate care, and they are recognized as outstanding role models in our nursing community.

DAISY Recipient: Kari Kattenhorn
Department: 3 East
Nominated by: Patient

Patient: "I would like to nominate Kari for the DAISY Award for her excellent nursing care and compassion during my hospital stay. From the very beginning, Kari went above and beyond to make sure I felt heard and cared for. She continuously managed my pain, never waiting for me to ask, but instead proactively checking in and assessing my comfort at regular intervals. This not only eased my physical pain but also gave me a great sense of reassurance and trust in her care. Kari showed a remarkable ability to combine clinical skill with genuine kindness. She was attentive, timely, and consistent in addressing my needs, ensuring I never felt neglected. Her diligence in pain management made a difficult time much more bearable, and her compassionate approach made me feel like more than just a patient she treated me with respect and empathy every step of the way.

It is clear that nursing is more than just a job for Kari; it is her calling. She exemplifies the values of the DAISY Award through her dedication, compassion, and exceptional care. I am deeply grateful for everything she did for me, and I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this recognition.”

DAISY Recipient: Mindy Routon
Department: Mother-Baby
Nominated by: Patient, Mallory Sutton

Patient: "I gave birth to my daughter on Sept. 8, 2025. Mindy was the lactation consultant that helped me navigate the newness of breast feeding. After visiting my room, she left her info to the mom's group that she runs as well as a Facebook page support group. We were discharged on Sept. 9 and had our first night at home. The first night home was tough. I messaged the Facebook group at 5 a.m. about how things were going and Mindy replied around 6 a.m. Her response gave me peace of mind and assured me I was doing things correctly.

Later that day we had our first pediatrician appointment. The appointment went horribly. As a first-time mom I was told that I left the hospital too soon, my baby had lost too much weight, was showing signs of jaundice, I was breast feeding all wrong, and my baby wasn't getting proper care. The doctor wanted me to introduce formula less than 72 hours of being born. I was mentally spiraling and thought I was already failing less than 24 hours of being home. I then began trying to contact Mindy. After a couple hours I got a text from Mindy asking what was happening, I cried while explaining the entire thing to her. She gave me so much validation, advice, reassurance and helped me navigate the situation. She gave me so much relief that everything happening with my baby was normal and that I was doing everything correct. She offered to see me the following day, to help assess things further. Not only was she so helpful over the phone, but she gave me her personal number and allowed me to text her questions and concerns while we found a new pediatrician.

She made such a massive impact in my first couple weeks as a new mom and I know she's been a pillar of support for so many others. She truly cares about the moms and babies that she works with and fosters that in the mom support group that she runs as well. I feel like I owe her so much because of how much she helped me when she did not have to go outside of her working hours to do so. She is truly amazing and deserves every ounce of recognition."

DAISY Recipients: Angela Turner and Morgan Ramirez
Department: Labor and Delivery
Nominated by: Patient, K. Smith

Patient: "My water broke at 2:15 a.m. and within minutes I noticed I had a prolapsed cord. I was 26 weeks and 1 day pregnant with twins. I am a Kaiser patient and never thought I would deliver at Rideout.

When I was wheeled into the ER, I was greeted by Angela and Morgan. The paramedics didn't tell them I had a prolapsed cord so when I told them they were shocked and immediately sprang into action.

Morgan hopped on my gurney to make sure she could feel a pulse on the cord as they ran me to the OR. When in the OR another nurse couldn't find the heartbeat, so Morgan monitored the cord to help make sure it didn't get pinched as I was prepped for surgery. One of the last things I remember saying before I was put under general anesthesia was asking her to keep my babies safe. She promised me she would. She was the last kind face I saw before waking up in recovery.

When I woke up the other nurse, Angela assured me my babies were healthy and doing well. Morgan came back to check on me. I gave her a big hug and just kept saying thank you! She is the reason my daughter is alive, I firmly believe it.

Angela literally ran down the hall to get me to the Labor and Delivery OR. When in the OR, one of my baby's heartbeats couldn't be found on the monitor. Angela started directing a massive team of people that this was an emergency. When I woke up in recovery Angela's face was the first I saw and she immediately told me my babies were safe and healthy and with their dad, my husband. I have never felt more grateful for the kindness and swift actions of another. Because of Morgan and Angela, I am alive and so are both of my babies.