Kristie Zona Honored with DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses

Congratulations to Kristie Zona of ChristianaCare, Union Hospital for receiving the 2020, 1st Quarter DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. DAISY Award recipients are nurses recognized for meeting and exceeding the needs and expectations of patients and families by displaying exceptional clinical skills, compassion, respect and partnership. Kristie was nominated by a patient.

“Kristie is an angel and masters her profession in a way that is the true reason of what the term nurse means,” the patient wrote. “When I arrived at Union and Kristie became one of the nurses that worked with me, I was so taken aback because I have been in hospitals from New York, Staten Island, and Delaware. The service was not to compare with the care and bedside manner that I was blessed to receive because of people like her.

“One special incident that will stay with me for the rest of my life was when my heart medication was changed, approval was needed to make sure that the pharmacy had the meds in stock, otherwise I could not go home without all approvals in place. Kristie took the time to make sure all of these requirements were met, while doing her other duties. She then took the time to explain these new medications, how to use them, and what they were prescribed for. I was feeling alone and lonely, but Kristie gave me hope and confidence to trust in myself, that I can go home and take care of my needs.

“Her bedside manner is great. She gives advice, but she takes the time to listen to what you need to ask or say. She is so patient, and I feel that at age 81, I have found my own personal angel in Kristie. Since I first met her, I have bragged about her and what Union Hospital is like. Other hospitals should use Union as an example of what a real hospital should be.

“Thank you all for saving my life—I thank God every day for people such as yourselves.”

Kristie also received words of praise from a patient’s wife who said, “Kristie and everyone went way above and beyond at this hospital. My husband and I live in Indianapolis and he had a stroke while working out of town. Everyone there was professional, happy, and helpful.”

Nominate a nurse at ChristianaCare, Union Hospital for a DAISY Award.