Michelle Gontko, RN. (photo by Donn Jones)
Michelle Gontko, BSN, RN, works in the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care unit at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. She is one of the latest Vanderbilt Health DAISY Award winners.
From the nomination
“It is an honor to nominate Michelle for the DAISY Award. Our family spent a combined 40 days in the NICU, PCICU, and PCARD during the first months of our daughter’s life. At just three days old, she underwent open heart surgery. Throughout that time, we encountered the most extraordinary doctors, nurses, and providers. During our daughter’s first week after her nine-hour surgery, she experienced serious complications due to previously unknown collateral arteries. Those days became some of the most frightening and desperate moments of our lives. And yet, it was in the middle of that storm that we were given Michelle. Though early in her nursing career, Michelle carried herself with the confidence, wisdom, and steady presence of a seasoned veteran.
“She possesses qualities that cannot be taught. She was calm under pressure, attentive, positive and gentle. She was professional yet lighthearted at just the right moments. Michelle communicated with clarity and grace, even when delivering difficult information.
“Michelle kept our daughter stable during moments when her tiny body seemed to be working against her. She gave us strength through her knowledge and steadiness, even when the news was not what we hoped to hear. Trusting someone with your life is one thing but trusting someone with your newborn child is entirely different. We never once doubted that she was in the best possible hands. Michelle’s attentiveness and communication with the team without a doubt helped our daughter get the lifesaving care she needed.
“We were exhausted, postpartum, overwhelmed, and honestly not our best selves, all while missing our other two children at home. Yet, never once did Michelle make us feel judged. She met us with patience, kindness, and understanding every single day. She answered repeated questions without hesitation or annoyance, validated our fears, and treated us with the same dignity and compassion she gave our daughter. It felt as though she truly loved our daughter and valued her life as deeply as we did.
“We were fortunate enough to have Michelle as our daughter’s nurse for three consecutive and critical days, which felt like a lifetime. It is remarkable to us that some of the darkest days of our lives are also intertwined with such gratitude because of Michelle. Her calling to this profession is undeniable. We thank God for giving us Michelle when He did and that she was by our daughter’s side during those critical days.”
About DAISY Awards
The DAISY Award is a recognition for extraordinary nurses who exemplify compassion toward patients and families.
Vanderbilt Health distributes the award in partnership with The DAISY Foundation, which was formed in 1999 to honor the memory of J. Patrick Barnes, a 33-year-old man who died of complications of the autoimmune disease Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). Barnes’ family was moved by the care they received from his nurses and wanted to recognize them to preserve his memory. DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.
Vanderbilt Health nurse committees determine the individual recipients. Previous recipients of the DAISY Award are here. The award is open to all licensed nurses, and anyone can nominate — including co-workers, patients and their families.
