February 2026 Person of the Moment: Megan Affolter, RN

When a patient at the Stormont Vail Health Flint Hills Campus required emergency surgery and rapidly declined, the care team moved quickly to arrange a transfer to Topeka. Severe weather eliminated air transport, and during ground transport preparation, the patient became unstable and required continuous manual ventilation. With limited EMS support available and a long…

Read More

We Celebrate Valory Palmer, Sunflower Award Winner

Extraordinary caregivers make a lasting difference—something Valory Palmer, patient care technician (PCT) on 7 West Post-Surgical at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka, demonstrates daily. We’re proud to celebrate Valory for achieving the Sunflower Award for Extraordinary Nursing Support Staff for the kindness, patience, and positivity she provided during a patient’s challenging hospital stay. Valory’s Sunflower…

Read More

We Celebrate Hailey Dion, Sunflower Award Winner

Making a meaningful difference in patients’ lives doesn’t always come from dramatic gestures or life-saving care—it often grows from everyday connections, genuine kindness, and helping people feel like they belong. For Hailey Dion, medical assistant (MA) at our Manhattan Campus Primary Care Clinic, that’s simply who she is. Her warm presence, professionalism, and ability to…

Read More

We Celebrate Hannah Reynolds, DAISY Award Winner

Extraordinary nurses leave lasting imprints on patients’ and families’ lives every day. Hannah Reynolds, Acute Care RN at the Stormont Vail Health Flint Hills Campus, embodies this through her integrity and compassion. Her DAISY nomination highlights how she honored a family’s care requests and provided clear communication and exceptional care. We’re proud to celebrate her…

Read More

We Celebrate Nick Ahlert, DAISY Award Winner

Compassion. Communication. Extraordinary care. These qualities compelled a patient’s family member to nominate Nick Ahlert, Acute Care RN on the Critical Care Unit (CCU) Pavilion at Stormont Vail Hospital, for the DAISY Award. Their heartfelt message following a challenging stay in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) highlights the dignity, skill, and humanity Nick brings to…

Read More

Hossam Abed, M.D.: January 2026 Person of the Moment

Stormont Vail Health is honored to recognize Hossam Abed, M.D., as our January 2026 Person of the Moment. While caring for a patient with heart failure, Dr. Abed showed exceptional dedication to clinical excellence and human dignity. Struck by the fact that the patient faced the end of life without family present, Dr. Abed made…

Read More

We Celebrate Whitney Haynes: December 2025 Person of the Moment

When every second mattered, Whitney Haynes delivered. After a primary care visit, a patient collapsed in our Emporia Clinic lobby with an empty oxygen tank. Whitney, an LPN, immediately assessed the situation and found the patient unresponsive and in respiratory distress. Acting fast, she directed bystanders to call 911, helped lower the patient safely, and…

Read More

We Celebrate Alicia Criger: November 2025 Person of the Moment

Calm in Crisis. Care in Action. When an emergency notification about an active shooter was issued, Alicia Criger, Emporia Clinic Nurse Manager, took charge with speed and composure. Within minutes, she locked down staff and patients in their current locations to keep everyone safe. For two tense hours—marked by confusion and communication gaps—Alicia stayed calm,…

Read More

We Celebrate Marissa Arredondo, DAISY Award Recipient

Extraordinary nursing is more than clinical skill; it’s the human moments that bring dignity and hope. We’re proud to celebrate Marissa Arredondo, Acute Care RN at the Stormont Vail Health Spine Center, for receiving the DAISY Award. Her patient’s nomination tells the story: after a traumatic accident, Marissa combined expert care with simple acts of…

Read More