Nursing and Staff Awards

Congratulations to Our 2026 Winners!

2026 BEE and DAISY Award Winners
Congratulations to our winners honored at our May 7, 2026 ceremony (L-R): Abbigayle Gomora, RN (3N); Jennifer Guanzon, MA (Meadville Dermatology & Skin Surgery Institute); Abigayle Mellon, PCT (4N); Katie Barnhart, RN (Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute).

2026 DAISY and BEE Award Ceremony

Photos courtesy of Fallon's Photography Studio, LLC.
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The DAISY Award® for Nurses

DAISY Award information at MMC's 2025 ceremonyThe DAISY Award for extraordinary nurses is a national program designed to recognize and honor nurses who have gone the extra mile in showing care and compassion. The DAISY Foundation was established in 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who died from complications an autoimmune disease at the age of 33, who were inspired by the dedication of the nurses caring for their loved one.  DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune SYstem.

Nominate a Nurse!

DAISY Award Logo

Meadville Medical Center has partnered with the DAISY Foundation to honor nurses, and nominations are collected through the Foundation’s website. Follow this link (same as the button below) to the nomination form for MMC and provide some information about yourself and the MMC nurse you are nominating for the DAISY Award®. You are asked to describe a specific situation or story that demonstrates how the nurse you are nominating made a meaningful difference in the care of yourself or a loved one!

DAISY Award Nomination

DAISY Award® Winners

2026

Katie Barnhart, RN

Katie Barnhart, RN

Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute

Katie B. has been my full-time chemo nurse and has been my nurse for my monthly blood tests many times after completing chemo. She has treated me like a sister and kept me uplifted and loved through chemotherapy treatments and always takes time to greet me with hugs and so much kindness and empathy and compassion while I go through the difficult treatments for my breast cancer.

We have talked about our lives and laughed together and cried together over the past 2 years. Katie B. helped me keep positive and allowed me to share my fears and pain and she never let me feel I was fighting alone! There is a special place in heaven for her and all she has done for me and how she always includes my husband in her caring and kindness!

2025

Abbigayle Gomora, RN

Abbigayle Gomora, RN

3N

Abbi went above and beyond with my care. She made me feel seen, understood, and not afraid to advocate for what I think was best for me. One morning I was very upset and frustrated with how I needed help to do simple tasks and all I wanted to do was just be able to shower. She reminded me that it’s okay to need help and that it’s just this week (the time I was inpatient) and then this would all be a memory. She wrote on my bathroom mirror: “You are strong! You got this! :)”.

I have been in and out of hospitals throughout the years but I have never had a nurse leave as much of an impact on me as she did. The days she was my nurse she greeted me with a smile and the conversations we had made me remember that I am not just this version of myself, sick and in a hospital bed. Having years of negative experiences with healthcare providers, my guard was always up and I thank her so much for helping me lower that. She was a bright light when I needed it most and there are so much more kind moments she provided me with during my stay.

Please do not take my nomination lightly, please take it with strong meaning behind it. She made a positive lasting difference in my life and I would want nothing more than for her to be recognized for this.

2025

Erica Trick, RN, 4 North

Erica Trick, RN

4 North

As a nurse for 20 years, I want to nominate Erica for this award.  She embodies what it means to be a registered nurse.  Her care and compassion for my uncle, a Comfort Measures Only patient, and the entire family were exceptional. She would set an alarm to be at my uncle’s bedside every hour to administer medication to keep my uncle comfortable as he transitioned to the next life. She would take time to tell him what she was doing despite his altered state from an ischemic stroke that turned hemorrhagic. She would greet the family and provide for their needs, taking time to listen to them and hear the stories of her patient’s life. I am beyond grateful for the care she provided to my uncle and his family during my uncle’s last hours on this earth.  She needs to be recognized for her compassion, professionalism, outstanding personality, and dedication to the craft of nursing!

2025

Stephanie Weber, RN, Surgery

Stephanie Weber, RN

Surgery Department

I had a laparoscopic procedure at Meadville Medical Center, that was my first experience with surgery. As someone who is very anxious, specifically around sedation and anesthesia, I was very nervous during the preparation for surgery. When Stephanie came to my bedside to tell me she was going to be with me in the OR, her calm, kind, empathetic bedside manner was exactly what I needed. Prior to this, nurses had tried to make me feel better about the procedure, but it was Stephanie who took the time to find out why this was so hard for me. She wanted to know more about what I was feeling and how I’ve been able to work through situations like this in the past. She came up with strategies to help with my anxiety before, during, and after the procedure. She talked with my husband to gain more background.

Stephanie shared my situation with the anesthesia and recovery teams, so there was continuity with my care. I remember her introducing me to everyone so I wasn’t in a room full of strangers when I was sedated or when I woke up. She went above and beyond to not only do her job, but to ensure that I was going to have a positive experience in a very anxiety-provoking situation. As I reflect on my surgery and the day in its entirety, the staff at Liberty Street Surgery were wonderful. However, Stephanie stands out as the staff member who respected my anxiety, took the time to understand me and my fears on an individual level, and created a plan to help from the time she introduced herself to my next steps of recovery. While she was there to care for my physical needs, Stephanie went above and beyond to care for my mental and emotional needs, too, and that did not go unnoticed.

2024

Brandy Landers, LPN

Brandy Landers, LPN

Pulmonary Associates of Meadville

We would like to recommend Brandy Landers for the DAISY Award due to her exceptional work ethic and dedication. She is incredibly kind to patients and always shows empathy. Brandy’s professionalism and compassionate care significantly impact both patients and the team. Her unwavering commitment to providing high-quality care makes her an invaluable member of our nursing staff. We are fortunate to have Brandy with us and she has gotten us thru times in the office where we had staffing transitions. She has been instrumental in training the staff and helping even in other offices at times although her schedule was very busy. She has been the steady, consistent nurse with great team work, leadership, excellent patient care and going the extra mile to help with whatever is needed. She truly deserves this recognition.

2024

Rebecca Sipe, RN

Rebecca Sipe, RN

Intensive Care Unit

Becca is an ICU RN that cares for the sickest of the sick. She meets her patients at the worst time of their lives. There are multiple occasions where I have witnessed Becca playing music, joining and singing along. I have seen her take the time to braid a young woman’s hair when she was feeling unwell, I have seen her get down to a patient’s level, look them in the eye and give them encouraging words so they could make it through the next moment. Her compassion is above the call. It is not one specific situation, but soo many. She is truly special, I cannot explain how badly I want her to know that the thousands of extras mean something. She is a new mother of 2 and even when she hasn’t slept due to her children, she gives 110%. This consistent, beautiful soul is more deserving of the daisy than any RN I have met in my 15 years in healthcare.

2023

Amanda Brownlee, RN

New Life Unit

We had an out-of-state patient come to our hospital with heavy bleeding. The patient needed an emergency C-section to save her life and her baby’s life. The baby was very premature and had to be transferred to another hospital while the mother still required care at Meadville Medical Center. A few days later, the mother was ready for discharge. However, she learned that her baby had taken a turn for the worse and now needed to be transferred to a higher level of care as surgery was needed to save the baby’s life. The mother had no way of getting a ride to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh as her husband was already there with the baby. One of our nurses had just finished working a 12-hour shift. She happens to be a single mother of two boys and could see how distraught the mother was. Without hesitation, our nurse offered to drive the mother to Pittsburgh in her own vehicle. She got her there in enough time, so that she was able to reconnect with her baby prior to the surgery.

2023

Yvonne Butts-Peterson, RN

Yvonne Butts-Peterson, RN

Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute

Being diagnosed with stage III breast cancer at age 51 was horrifying. Then to learn that I would need 16 rounds of chemotherapy literally knocked the wind out of me. Then I met my infusion nurse and all my angst disappeared. My nurse cared for me once or twice a week for 20 weeks in a way that was magical. She met my anxiety with calm; she met my tears with validation; she met my fear with information; most importantly, she met my wins with celebration. She did not just administer chemotherapy into my body but she filled my heart with love and my mind with hope. Some days, I felt like I was dying but my nurse encouraged me to keep going and to take it day by day, chemo treatment by chemo treatment. My nurse made me focus on all the things that I had to live for. Because of her, I made it through my 16 treatments. It takes a special person to care for cancer patients and their highs and lows and my nurse is one of the best. Having her win a Daisy Award would be only a small token of my appreciation. I will be forever indebted to her.

The BEE Award for Support Staff

BEE Award nominations from at MMC's 2025 ceremonyThe BEE Award (Being Excellent Every Day) honors and recognizes clinical support staff who go beyond expectations. These individuals provide exceptional experiences for patients, their family members, and visitors by demonstrating extraordinary service and care. This award is managed by Meadville Medical Center, and nominations can be submitted via the form below.

Nominate a Staff Member!

MMC BEE Award Logo

The BEE Award is managed by Meadville Medical Center. Nominations can be submitted via the form below (click the button to jump to the form).

BEE Award Nomination

BEE Award Winners

2026

Jennifer Guanzon, MA

Jennifer Guanzon, Medical Assistant

Meadville Dermatology and Skin Surgery Institute

Jen came in late one night to assist Dr. Sam with a skin surgery complication. The dermatology office does not expect the staff to be on call, but Dr. Sam knows he can depend on Jen to answer the call when a patient is in need. She joined Dr. Sam at the office to care for the patient, preventing a trip to the emergency room.

She daily exemplifies the standards of MMC by creating the ultimate patient experience for every patient every time. She displays professionalism in everything she does from patient to medical staff to coworkers. She treats all with respect and is quick to execute her duties without supervision and helps others when asked. She comes in early and stays late when the need arises and never complains. She is punctual, helpful, responsible and honest. The consistent, daily value that she adds to the clinic is so cherished.

2026

Abigayle Mellon, PCT

Abigayle Mellon, Patient Care Technician

4N

Abby is a phenomenal help to myself and fellow coworkers. She radiates a positive energy that makes patients feel comfortable and cared for in a normally stressful environment. Her bedside manner is impeccable while remaining efficient in her duties. Abby is extremely hardworking and will make an amazing nurse once she finishes school. So thankful to have Abby on my team!

2025

Desiree Greathouse, Emergency Department

Desiree Greathouse

Emergency Department Technician

Desiree went above and beyond helping my client. He has a mental disability and isn’t the easiest person to understand due to his speech impairment. When we came into the ER covered in blood and needing immediate attention, Desiree took his wheelchair and immediately got to work. She had the most positive attitude out of anyone in the room. As my client was struggling to get stable, she constantly checked on him, brought him items to make him more comfortable at a moment’s notice, and genuinely cared about how he was doing. She really took the extra moment to listen and understand what he said. Her upbeat demeanor helped my client feel comfortable and cared for. Her attentiveness and concern for him really stuck out to me. Not everyone will go the extra mile for their patients like she did. She really made him feel comfortable in the hospital and helped him understand that she was trying to help him get better.

2025

Andrea Kregel, Respiratory Therapy

Andrea Kregel

Respiratory Therapist

Andrea consistently goes above and beyond the expectations of her role as a respiratory therapist, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to patient care and compassion. Her actions exemplify what it means to “Be Exceptional Every day.” While her primary responsibility is managing complex respiratory needs, Andrea never hesitates to assist in areas outside of her direct duties. She has bathed patients, helped with toileting, provided them new gowns, coffee, etc. She cares that our patients are comfortable here. What truly sets Andrea apart is her presence. She has held the hands of patients on non-invasive ventilation, offering comfort and emotional support during vulnerable moments—choosing to be there for them instead of taking a scheduled break. Her selflessness and empathy do not go unnoticed.

Andrea is also a dedicated educator. She takes time to explain procedures, equipment, and care plans to patients and families, empowering them with knowledge and easing their concerns. Her compassion extends beyond patients as well. Recently, she encountered a disabled visitor who was trying to locate his hospitalized brother. Rather than simply offering directions, Andrea walked with him through multiple departments until they found the correct room, ensuring he felt supported and safe the entire time. Andrea embodies the true spirit of teamwork, compassion, and patient-centered care. Her willingness to step in wherever needed and her kind, proactive approach to caregiving make her an invaluable asset to our team and an ideal recipient of the BEE Award.

2024

Amanda Holiga, Radiology Staff

Amanda Holiga

Radiology Support Staff

Amanda goes the extra mile in caring for any patient who comes across her desk. When she doesn’t know the answer, she finds it. She is always pleasant and professional on the phone. In addition to being great with patients, she is kind and supportive to her coworkers. When someone is stressed, she does what she can to help alleviate the work-related stress. I have witnessed her time and time again helping patients when transferring imaging from one hospital to another. When you see her work, you know she is thinking about good patient care and what is best for the patient. She is very efficient in her work.

2024

Karen Nies, Therapy Office Coordinator

Karen Nies

Lead Office Coordinator,
Physical, Occupational, Speech Therapies

Karen is the lead office coordinator for Physical, Occupational, and Speech therapy. We recently had a therapist that needed to leave urgently to take her father to the emergency room. Karen quickly sprung into action, leaving her volleyball game, to figure out how to cover the therapist schedule/patients. Karen consistently goes above and beyond during times of call offs and ongoing scheduling needs. She often works from home “making her magic happen” late at night or early in the morning. She is proactive, efficient, and a great problem solver. Moreover, she is generous and thoughtful, always remembering everyone’s birthday and is encouraging through professional and personal matters. Because of these traits, she makes every day a whole lot better for our patients and for our colleagues.

BEE Award Nomination Form

Nominee Information

Name of Nominee
This is the unit or department in which the nominee works, for example: New Life Unit, ICU, Oncology, etc.
Describe a specific situation or story that demonstrates how this nursing team member made a meaningful difference in your care of that of a loved one!

Your Information

Your Name
I am a:

Nursing and Staff Award News

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