At Lucas County Health Center, we are proud to recognize the extraordinary compassion, skill, and dedication our nurses bring to patients and families every day. Through our partnership with The DAISY Foundation, we have the privilege of honoring nurses who go above and beyond in the moments that matter most.
Each year, patients, families, and colleagues submit heartfelt nominations describing the impact our nurses have made. While one nurse is selected to receive the DAISY Award, every nomination tells a powerful story—and each nominee deserves to be celebrated.
We are honored to recognize our 2026 DAISY Award nominees:
Kayla Wallace
Nomination:
“Our family is generally very healthy and rarely visits the doctor, but over two weekends, we unexpectedly needed care for our daughter. By chance, both times we were seen by Kayla. She was incredibly kind, compassionate, and thorough. Her gentle approach and genuine concern made a stressful situation so much easier. We are so grateful for the excellent care she provided.”
Andrew Narber
Nomination:
“Andrew was so kind and attentive during my entire visit. He was a pleasure to be around and will truly be a wonderful nurse to everyone he sees.”
Karley Lekwa
Nomination:
“Karley is always smiling, calm, patient, friendly, thorough, and helpful. She makes every visit feel like talking to a friend and is always willing to find answers to any questions.”
Chloe Orwig
Nomination:
“Chloe was professional, but made me comfortable – very quick to make sure I was well taken care of.”
Jenny Newton
Nomination:
“She has taken care of both my wife and myself a couple of times. She has good bedside manners and she always pops in to see if you need anything. She is a good nurse to the patients. Thank you, Jenny. I know you will remember me. Thank you for much for helping me recover as quick as I did.”
Nadia Howell
Nomination #1:
“During my hospital stay in October, Nadia was very friendly yet ultimately professional. She was excellent in explaining all aspects of my care (meds, treatments, etc.) She was always helping me when I had questions. When she asked me (2 days in the hospital) if I had had a shower, No I hadn’t. She then took the time to help me with my shower. Then after my hair had been tangled so bad from being in and not brushed. Plus the show that she took the extra “above the call of duty” time to brush my hair. She was so polite and knowledgeable. I feel she should be commended for doing such a great job. She is an asset to your staff and hospital!”
Nomination #2:
“Dad has been in the hospital 4 times in the past year. When he was in ER recently and found out that he was going to be admitted, he asked his family if we thought “his nurse” would be working. We knew that he was referring to Nadia. Fortunately, she was working that day. Dad loves having her as his nurse. She is very caring and very much hands-on. She explains things to him well and makes sure that he hears her, as he is very hard of hearing. She checks on him frequently to see if he needs anything. She seems happy to be taking care of him. She gets it when he’s teasing her. She definitely goes above and beyond. Having her as his nurse is such a comfort to him and to us! When dad found out about the Daisy Award, he wanted to nominate Nadia.”
Kendall Altenhofen – 2026 DAISY Award Recipient 🌼
Nomination:
“During a recent visit to the ER, my husband and I experienced one of the scariest moments of our lives. He had been stung by multiple hornets and, not realizing he was allergic, his reaction was severe and frightening. Before we even arrived, we called to ask if we should come to the ER or just go to the clinic. When we walked through those ER doors, this nurse was already standing there waiting, ready to take action. That alone told me how seriously she took our situation, and it immediately gave me a sense of relief.
From the moment we arrived, she wasted no time. She jumped right into action, ensuring my husband got the urgent care he needed. In what felt like chaos for us, she remained calm, focused, and reassuring. She didn’t just treat him, she cared for both of us. She checked on me, explained what was happening, and made sure we felt safe in the middle of what was truly terrifying.
The scariest moment was when my husband’s stats started to drop as the IV was being placed. He was on the verge of passing out, and I felt panic rising in me – but this nurse never once flinched. She calmly coached him through it, kept her composure, and somehow managed to bring his blood pressure down while also keeping me calm in the process. Her ability to balance her medical skill with compassion and reassurance was nothing short of incredible.
She is the kind of nurse you pray to see in an emergency, someone who not only knows exactly what to do but who does it with compassion, strength, and grace. In a moment where everything felt like it could spiral out of control, she was our anchor. We will forever be grateful for the care she provided and the way she carried us both through such a frightening time.”
Honoring Compassion in Action
Being a nurse is more than a profession—it is a calling rooted in compassion, strength, and service. Each of these nominees has made a meaningful difference in the lives of their patients and families, and we are incredibly grateful for the care they provide to our community.
Please join us in congratulating all of our 2026 DAISY Award nominees and in celebrating Kendall Altenhofen as this year’s recipient. Their dedication reflects the very best of healthcare at LCHC. 💛