We Celebrate Maci Kasprzak, DAISY Award Recipient

By editor | October 16, 2025

Stormont Vail Health is proud to recognize Maci Kasprzak, registered nurse (RN) in our Pediatric Care unit, as a DAISY Award honoree! After a complicated procedure and an unexpected overnight stay, one patient described Maci’s care as life-changing. Her ability to combine clinical excellence with genuine human connection made all the difference. Throughout the day,…

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We Celebrate Koko Fuentes, Our First Sunflower Award Winner

By editor | October 15, 2025

Stormont Vail Health is proud to recognize Koko Fuentes, Patient Care Technician (PCT) in the Stormont Vail Hospital Emergency Department (ED), as the first recipient of the Sunflower Award for Extraordinary Nursing Support Staff. Koko went above and beyond during our visit to the Emergency Department. My mother-in-law, who has dementia, was having a very…

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We Celebrate Rachel MacNevin, DAISY Award Winner

By editor | October 9, 2025

Stormont Vail Health is proud to celebrate Rachel MacNevin, a registered nurse (RN) in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), for her DAISY Award! After years of hoping for a child, one family’s journey led them to the NICU—and to Nurse Rachel. Her calm presence, clear communication, and compassionate care during their daughter’s first nights…

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We Celebrate Jeannine McClellan, DAISY Award Winner

By Andre Negrete | August 19, 2025

Stormont Vail Health is proud to celebrate Jeannine McClellan, a registered nurse (RN) in our Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), for her DAISY Award! During a recent procedure, Nurse Jeannine helped a young patient with special needs feel safe and calm. Her simple act of kindness made a lasting impact and is a beautiful example of…

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We Celebrate Kristi & Matt: May 2025 Persons of the Moment

By Andre Negrete | June 13, 2025

This month, we’re proud to celebrate two outstanding team members as our May 2025 Person of the Moment recipients: Social Worker Kristi Skinner (Care Transformation) and Licensed Clinical Therapist Matt Dittmer (Behavioral Health). Through creative problem-solving and collaboration with community partners like the Mobile Access Partnership (MAP) of Topeka and the Topeka Street Dog Coalition,…

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We Celebrate DAISY Award Winner Maria Cortez

By Andre Negrete | June 10, 2025

Congrats to Maria Cortez, a nurse in our birthplace, who was recently honored with a DAISY award after taking swift, life-saving action when a mother experienced a medical emergency during labor. “Thanks to her quick thinking, expert skills, and unwavering composure, my son is now a thriving 13-month-old—healthy, happy, and without any developmental concerns,” the…

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We Celebrate DAISY Award Winner Chudney Williams

By Andre Negrete | June 10, 2025

Kudos to Chudney Williams, a labor and delivery nurse at our Flint Hills Campus, for receiving a DAISY award after helping a patient ease her anxieties. “Chudney laughed with me. She made me feel as though I was safe and cared for, but not just in the medical sense,” the patient said in her nomination.…

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We Celebrate Martin Gray: March 2025 Person of the Moment

By mpowers | April 18, 2025

During a crisis, Martin Gray, a security officer at Stormont Vail Hospital, brought a level of humanity to his role that didn’t just impact a patient’s experience, but saved their life. His willingness to earn a patient’s trust, listen to their concerns, and even fulfill a heartfelt request for a hug define our third tenet:…

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We Celebrate Shannon Gregg, Two-Time DAISY Award Winner

By Andre Negrete | April 15, 2025

Cheers to Shannon, an APRN specializing in neurology, for her second DAISY Award! Her patient nominated Shannon after her advocacy led to a diagnosis after other providers dismissed her concerns for years.  “Shannon has so much care and empathy and validated that my symptoms weren’t just ‘in my head.’ She’s giving me control of my…

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