At Midland Health, exceptional nursing care isn’t just a mission statement—it’s a daily practice lived out by remarkable caregivers like Edna “Maddy” Marquez, a labor and delivery nurse whose compassion has left an indelible mark on patients and families alike. This month, Marquez was honored with the DAISY Award, a national recognition that celebrates nurses who consistently go above and beyond to deliver extraordinary care.
A Source of Comfort in a Time of Heartache
Marquez’s nomination came from the family member of a patient enduring a profoundly difficult experience—facing both a devastating heartbreak and complex medical challenges. In that moment of vulnerability, Marquez became more than a nurse. She was a steady presence of comfort, warmth, and reassurance.
The family recalled how Marquez’s approach transformed the patient’s experience:
“She didn’t just explain every step of the process; she made sure she truly understood, taking the time to sit at the end of her bed and provide thoughtful, patient answers to questions.”
That ability to connect on a human level—to inspire trust while delivering compassionate care—illustrates why Marquez stands out as a nurse of extraordinary caliber.
A Celebration of Compassion
In July, Marquez was honored in a surprise ceremony in the Labor and Delivery Unit. Surrounded by joyful colleagues, she received her nomination and recognition from Kit Bredimus, Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Midland Health. Along with a leather-bound certificate and gifts from Midland Health and the DAISY Foundation, she was presented with the symbolic Healer’s Touch sculpture, a hallmark of the DAISY Award.
The celebration wasn’t just about the honor itself—it was about the shared pride of an entire team who witnessed firsthand the difference Marquez makes in the lives of her patients.
Why the DAISY Award Matters
The DAISY Award is more than a certificate on the wall. It’s an international program created to honor the skill, compassion, and humanity that define nursing at its very best. To be named a DAISY Honoree, as Marquez has, is to be recognized not only for clinical excellence but for the ability to touch lives with empathy, healing, and hope.
For Marquez, it is clear that her legacy extends beyond the care she provides, to the moments of trust she builds and the comfort she creates in even the most difficult circumstances.
A Nurse Who Embodies What Nursing Means
At Midland Health, Marquez’s story serves as a reminder of why nurses do what they do: to bring light to moments of despair, to offer trust in times of uncertainty, and to show humanity in every interaction.
For all these reasons—and for the countless lives she has touched with her skill and her heart—Daily Nurse proudly recognizes Edna “Maddy” Marquez as our Nurse of the Week.
Nominate a Nurse of the Week! Every Wednesday, DailyNurse.com features a nurse making a difference in the lives of their patients, students, and colleagues. We encourage you to nominate a nurse who has impacted your life as the next Nurse of the Week, and we’ll feature them online and in our weekly newsletter.
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