Salinas Valley Health Daisy Award Recognizes Big Emotions with Tiny Patients

Media Contact: Karina Rusk
831-759-1843

Julia Akin, RN, BSN has spent 36 years caring for patients at Salinas Valley Health and is being recognized with the prestigious DAISY Award for her extraordinary devotion to the hospitals tiniest patients and their families.

Julia is a registered nurse in the Level 3 neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) operated in partnership with Stanford Medical Health. A fellow NICU nurse nominated Julia for the DAISY award after witnessing an especially emotional and compassionate interaction with the parents of a NICU baby.

“It’s challenging and rewarding working in the NICU”, says Julia Akin, RN, BSN. “The advanced care we provide relies on the hospital’s investment in technology and the organization’s support of a high-quality team to care for these babies.”

Julia first joined Salinas Valley Health in 1986 and her decades of service has only enhanced her to dedication and passion for patient care.

“Julia is the type of nurse who can stand in the face of a difficult situation with grace and leadership,” says Lisa Paulo, RN, Chief Nursing Officer. “She is an amazing, compassionate and dedicated nurse. We are lucky to have her.”

In addition to Julie, there were three other nurses nominated for the DAISY Award including Paulina Beltran, RN, Mother/Baby unit; Andrea Huston, RN, Patient Care Resources and Francisco Moran-Salcedo, RN, Case Management

Every month, Salinas Valley Memorial recognizes two extraordinary employees, one with a DAISY Award (for nurses) and another with a STAR Award (for all staff). STAR stands for the Salinas Valley Health values of Support, Teamwork, Accountability and Respect. Nominations can be submitted by patients, visitors and staff. Nomination forms and drop boxes are located throughout the hospital and online. To learn more about the awards visit Nurse Recognition | Salinas Valley Health or STAR Award | Monterey County Health System (salinasvalleyhealth.com).