Get Care Now
Amber Pankey
We are honored to recognize Kristen Silloway, RN, of the PACU Department, as a DAISY Award recipient. Kristen was nominated by a patient whose life was saved because of her quick thinking, advocacy, and unwavering intuition.
After the patient awoke from anesthesia, they immediately felt unwell. Kristen noticed something was off too. Even when early assessments indicated everything was normal, she trusted her instincts—and her patient. She stayed at the bedside, continued calling for reassessment, and refused to give up until someone listened. When the anesthesiologist finally evaluated the patient, internal bleeding was discovered. The patient had already lost more than two liters of blood and was rushed back into emergency surgery. They later shared that without Kristen’s persistence, they might not be here today.
Kristen’s care didn’t end when the crisis was over. She returned the next day to check on the patient, offering support and reassurance. When the patient remained hospitalized an additional night, Kristen again visited—this time bringing her well-known homemade heating pad to bring warmth and comfort during recovery. The patient expressed profound gratitude not only for Kristen’s life-saving actions but also for the compassion and humanity she showed throughout the entire experience.
Her colleagues echo the same praise. They describe Kristen as deeply compassionate, dedicated, and attentive—someone who treats every patient as if they were her own family. She brings positivity into the PACU, takes the time to listen, and consistently goes above and beyond to ensure her patients feel safe and cared for. Despite personal challenges and the demands of pursuing higher education, Kristen continues to show exceptional strength, grace, and commitment to her work. Her team appreciates her not only as an outstanding nurse, but as an invaluable member of their department.
Kristen embodies the very heart of nursing. She is a protector, a healer, and a tireless patient advocate whose compassion shines through in everything she does.
Congratulations, Kristen, on receiving the DAISY Award.
Thank you for your dedication, your intuition, and the extraordinary care you provide to every patient you serve.
Carson Tahoe Health
