Monmouth Medical Center Emergency Department Nurse Honored with Nursing Excellence Award

Veronica is shown holding her DAISY Award certificate with, from left, Sharmine Brassington, Administrative Director of Emergency Services; Dr. William Downs, Chairman of Emergency Medicine; Christopher Werner, Assistant Clinical Director of the Emergency Department; Ann Szapor, Chief Nursing Officer; Tara Pistone, Assistant Clinical Director of the Emergency Department; and Lauren Fleming, Magnet Program Director.

Long Branch, NJ, October 8, 2024 - A Monmouth Medical Center (MMC) Emergency Department (ED) nurse praised for strongly promoting the horning of the dignity of patients with all levels of care and dedicating herself to spreading awareness of sexual assault and human trafficking within our community, has been honored with the quarterly DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses®.

Veronica Mendez, BSN, RN, was nominated for the DAISY Award by colleagues, who shared: A few weeks ago, Veronica was one of the nurses on shift during a very difficult code. After the patient passed away, she stayed after her shift until family members arrived. Veronica knew the family was Spanish speaking and that hearing such terrible news would be better delivered by herself as opposed to the Marti device. Veronica was essential in allowing the doctor to communicate clearly with the family and help answer all of their questions. She put her own needs and feelings aside to help offer comfort as best she could to a grieving family, who appreciated her compassion. The ED physician spoke with leadership to share how Veronica always offers her assistance in times of need and how she truly made a difference that night. Veronica's compassion and care for all her patients and their families are only a small part of what makes her such a special nurse who embodies the Caritas process.

Veronica stands with the DAISY Award banner with team members from the ED and her husband and father (to her right and left respectively).

Veronica is a valued employee who displays excellent clinical skills and achievement. She also promotes a "special human consideration in caring and healing environment". Aside from her eagerness to grow professionally, Veronica exhibits compassion, empathy, and creates a loving, kind environment when she works. She is an active member of the HOPE (Hospital Outreach Program for Everyone) organization, where she goes into the community, such as schools etc. and provides education on different healthcare topics, like early stroke recognition.

Veronica continuously strives to deliver the "highest level of compassion and caring kindness". She embodies altruistic behaviors and is consistently sharing her knowledge and expertise with her co-workers. Presently, she has assumed a preceptor role and is frequently educating new nurses in the ED. This helps her to create trusting caring relationships with her colleagues. Another one of the Caritas qualities that Veronica possesses is the ability to promote "communication, education, and attention to patients and families". Veronica works very closely with Sylvia Jacobs, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, to conduct blood pressure screenings and self-care events within and outside of the hospital setting.

Veronica exemplifies the mission, vision, and values of RWJBarnabas Health, as she consistently displays a "positive, professional, and personable attitude towards patients, families, and co-workers". She consistently receives positive comments from patients and their families. This March, Veronica was recognized by the ED for receiving the "Most Huron Rounding Recognitions".

Finally, Veronica strongly promotes "honoring the dignity of patients with all levels of care and allowing for miracles". She recognizes that some patients do have unusual circumstances and is willing to help. In her quest to help, Veronica became a state certified SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) and is a vibrant member of the MMC Human Trafficking Taskforce, spreading the awareness of sexual assault and human trafficking within the community. She is presently studying for the Certified Emergency Nurse exam.

DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System. The DAISY Foundation was formed by the family of Patrick Barnes who died at age 33 of complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), an auto-immune disease. His widow, Tena, (a DAISY Co-founder) created the acronym, and the Foundation and established the DAISY Recognition Program to honor the super-human work nurses do every day at the bedside.

CONTACT: Kathy Horan<>
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