Kearny County Hospital Honors It’s Second Daisy Award Recipient
Pam Moreno, LPN, has been selected as Kearny County Hospital’s June 2026 DAISY Award honoree in recognition of her compassionate care and nearly four decades of dedication to nursing. Pam was nominated for always making sure her residents have everything they need, keeping the family informed, calm and reassured, she is a truly dedicated nurse who gives her patients her all every single day.
“I am beyond honored and incredibly humbled to have received the DAISY Award,” said Pam Moreno, LPN. Pam has served the residents at High Plains Retirement Village for the last 10 years of her 39-year nursing career.
Kearny County Hospital has partnered with the DAISY Foundation to recognize and celebrate exceptional nurses. The DAISY Award, which stands for Diseases Attacking the Immune System, is an international recognition program honoring the compassionate work nurses perform every day. The DAISY Foundation established the award in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at age 33 from complications of an autoimmune disease. His family was deeply moved by the compassion of his nurses and created the award to ensure nursing excellence never goes unnoticed.
Nurses from Kearny County Hospital, High Plains Retirement Village, and the Family Health Center may be nominated for the DAISY Award. DAISY honorees are nominated by patients, families, physicians, or co-workers who have experienced or observed extraordinarily compassionate care provided by a nurse. Nominations are blinded and sent to the patient, resident and Patient and Resident Family Advisory Council (PRFAC), which selects the honoree. Kearny
County Hospital recognized a total of 4 nominations, Pam Moreno, LPN, Mario Perez, RN, Brenda Hernandez, LPN, and Tiana Gonzalez, RN, each nominee receives a copy of the nomination and a DAISY recognition pin.
“This is an accomplishment I never imagined would be possible, and I could not be more grateful to receive this honor,” Pam said when she was called and notified that she had been selected as the June 2026 honoree. “Being a nurse has never just been a job to me; it’s been a calling. I have truly loved caring for my residents, building relationships with them and their families, and being there through both the joyful and difficult moments. They have taught me just as much as I have ever been able to give.” Pam was unable to attend the award ceremony, but several residents from High Plains Retirement Village were able to present her with the award, including The Healer’s Touch sculpture, the DAISY pin, an award certificate, and a gift basket of appreciation from PRFAC. “This award is a reminder of why I chose to be a nurse,” Pam said. “I did it for them, not for me. Being able to care for others is a passion of mine. Receiving this honor means more than words could ever express. Thank you to everyone who has believed in me. I am truly blessed and so proud to be a nurse.”
Kearny County Hospital selects two DAISY honorees a year. The ceremonies will be held in June, for nominations received in December through May, and in December for nominations received in June through November. Nomination forms may be found online, by scanning the QR codes that are posted throughout the facility, or a paper nomination form available at KCH. We encourage patients, residents, families and staff to continue nominating the nurses who go above and beyond for our patients!
