Megan Wambold, BSN, RN, works in the Transitional Care unit at Vanderbilt University Hospital. She is one of the latest Vanderbilt Health DAISY Award winners.

“Somebody had a problem, and I knew I could fix it,” said Johnston, who received a 2025 Patient and Family Choice Award.

The 28,000-square-foot pulmonary stepdown unit is the first of six inpatient floors in the new building that rises above 21st Avenue on the Vanderbilt Health Main Campus in Nashville.

Samantha Murphy, RN, works in the Medical Intensive Care unit at Vanderbilt University Hospital. She is one of the latest Vanderbilt Health DAISY Award winners.

The resulting space brings new capabilities to as many as 80 staff members operating in and out of the kitchen for every meal.

“He deserves the highest recognition for his endless effort, dedication and thoughtful approach to the care of his patients.”

There are an estimated 166,000 patients with spina bifida in the US and over 50 percent of them are becoming adults. Spina bifida occurs among 1 in every 2,875 births in the US each year, according to the CDC. There are only 25 clinics in the nation solely dedicated to the care of adult patients with spina bifida.