DAISY Award Recipient Responds During Citywide Emergency

Media Contact: Karina Rusk
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July 19, 2022 – A nurse at Salinas Valley Health with 25 years of experience in numerous medical center roles responded during a citywide emergency in a manner that earned her the prestigious DAISY Award for nursing excellence. Mary Ann Artuz, RN drew on her clinical oncology knowledge and information technology expertise to elevate patient care during the devastating Taylor Farms building fire in Salinas.

The fire triggered a shelter in place order on April 14 that impacted the medical center campus and surrounding clinics including the Salinas Valley Health Salinas Valley Health Outpatient Infusion. The smoke emergency and shelter in place required the clinic to close operations and allow vulnerable cancer patients to remain safe at home. It also required a mass evaluation of individual patient needs and rescheduling of infusion treatments. That’s where Mary Ann’s combined skills and knowledge proved invaluable.

“Her IT expertise was crucial in all the appointment cancelling, rescheduling and moving of treatment and lab orders,” wrote Thelma Baker, MSN, RN, Salinas Valley Health Director Salinas Valley Health Outpatient Infusion." Mary Ann used her clinical oncology experience to help us navigate the special needs of patients and make sure they were both medically and emotionally cared for during the disruption.”

Mary Ann joined Salinas Valley Health in 1996 and currently serves as an oncology clinical informaticist for the clinical informatics department. She took on the role in 2019 and is no longer involved in direct patient care on a daily basis. As an experienced RN however, Mary Ann has an impressive resume at Salinas Valley Health focused on exceptional patient experience including roles in transitional care, in med surgery, oncology, observation care, and outpatient infusion.

“It is such an honor to be nominated and receive this award,” says Mary Ann Artuz, RN. “Patient care is a team effort and that day was challenging for all of us. I’m grateful to be a part of such a talented group of people who always wants to do what’s best for our patients.”

Several colleagues from clinical informatics and oncology joined Mary Ann for the surprise presentation of the DAISY Award. In addition to Mary Ann, three other exceptional nurses received Daisy Award nominations: Maria Elena Hermosillo, RN II in Outpatient Infusion, Letcia Jara, RN II in Mother/Baby and Ivy Vileta, RN II in Tele/1-Main.

Each month, Salinas Valley Health recognizes an outstanding employee with a STAR Award (for all staff) and a DAISY Award (specifically for nurses). Nomination forms and drop boxes are located throughout the medical center. To learn more about the awards visit Nurse Recognition | Salinas Valley Health or STAR Award | Monterey County Health System (salinasvalleyhealth.com).

Editor note: Photo attached (L to R) Randy Richards, Salinas Valley Health Clinical Informatics Manager, Mary Ann Artuz, RN, DAISY Award recipient and Lisa Paulo, MSN/MPA, RN, CENP, Salinas Valley Health Chief Nursing Officer.