AdventHealth Daytona Beach Nurses Vanessa Gaudu and Shelly Gillespie Receive 2019 DAISY Awards

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., May 8, 2019 - AdventHealth Daytona Beach recognized registered nurses Vanessa Gaudu and Shelly Gillespie with the DAISY award.

The DAISY Award is an international program that rewards and celebrates extraordinary clinical skill and compassionate care provided by nurses.

A patient nominated Gaudu, a nurse on the AdventHealth Daytona Beach surgical nursing unit on the eighth floor.

“She has such a positive and impactful spirit. Always courteous, professional, friendly, responsive and attentive to my needs. I was very nervous and anxious about not only being in the hospital, but also my testing. She took the time to talk me through everything that was going to be done,” the patient wrote in a nomination of Gaudu. “She was knowledgeable and provided me with information I could use. She made my stay in the hospital so much better and I find her to be a true asset to the hospital.”

Gillespie is nurse on the cardiovascular step-down unit on the third floor at AdventHealth Daytona Beach and was nominated by a colleague.

“She puts 110% into everything she does. She is a true nurse advocate, empathizing with the nurses under her charge. In addition to the many tasks that she performs as charge nurse, she selflessly offers to help the nurses on the floor and makes sure that they get their lunches, even though she hasn't had hers,” the colleague wrote in nomination of Gillespie. “She maintains a sense of humor, even on days that are extremely busy. In a nutshell, she is one of the best charge nurses I have ever had the pleasure of working with. We are extremely fortunate to have her on our unit.”

In recognition of this honor, both Gaudu and Gillespie received an award pin, a tote bag, and a hand-carved stone sculpture of the Healers Touch by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe. Both of their units also received cinnamon rolls and a DAISY banner to display.

Created in 1999, more than 2,400 healthcare facilities in all 50 states, as well as 14 other countries, use the DAISY Award to honor nurses.

About AdventHealth Daytona Beach
AdventHealth Daytona Beach has 327-beds and is one of the six hospitals in Flagler, Lake and Volusia counties that composes the AdventHealth Central Florida Division - North Region. Formerly known as Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center, the organization’s parent company changed the name of all wholly-owned entities to AdventHealth on Jan. 2, 2019. Based in Altamonte Springs, AdventHealth is a connected system of care. With more than 80,000 team members, AdventHealth is one of the nation’s largest faith-based health care systems with nearly 50 hospitals and hundreds of care sites in nearly a dozen states. With the mission of Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ, AdventHealth Daytona Beach provides whole person care to heal the body, mind and spirit. For more information about AdventHealth Daytona Beach, visit AdventHealthDaytonaBeach.com.