Celebrating Compassion in the Heart of Jazz Fest: Rochester Regional Health Honors More Than 100 DAISY Award Recipients

In the midst of the vibrant energy of the Rochester Regional Health Rochester International Jazz Festival, we hosted a special evening dedicated to celebrating the compassion, skill, and unwavering commitment of our nursing team.

The event brought together more than 100 DAISY Award recipients from across the entire health system in all the regions we serve the community. Each honoree represents the very best of nursing, recognized through nominations submitted by patients, families, and colleagues for the extraordinary care they provide every day.

Honoring a Lifetime of Impact and Leadership

Two of the evening’s most meaningful moments spotlighted exceptional individuals whose careers have made a profound and lasting impact on patient care and the nursing profession. 

DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award: Gwen Williams 

Gwen Williams, RN, was presented with the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award, a rare honor that has only been awarded once before in Rochester Regional Health’s history. 

With more than 50 years of nursing service, Gwen has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to compassionate care, professional excellence, and the advancement of nursing practice. Her legacy is reflected not only in the countless lives she has touched, but also in the enduring standards of care she has helped shape. 

The award was presented by Deb Zimmerman, CEO of the DAISY Foundation, who called in to recognize Gwen’s extraordinary contributions. 

DAISY Nurse Leader Award: Sheri Faggiano 

Sheri Faggiano, MSN, BSN, RN, Chief Nursing Officer for Extended Care, received the DAISY Nurse Leader Award in recognition of her exceptional leadership and dedication to supporting both patients and caregivers. 

A seasoned nurse leader with more than 30 years of progressive leadership experience, Sheri exemplifies the spirit of the DAISY Nurse Leader Award through her ability to lead with flexibility, resilience, and purpose. Her commitment to fostering environments where compassionate, high-quality care can thrive has had a lasting impact across the organization. 

Celebrating Excellence Across the System 

The DAISY Award is an international recognition program that honors nurses for the extraordinary clinical skill and compassionate care they provide. What makes the recognition especially meaningful is that nominations come directly from those who experience that care firsthand, patients, families, and coworkers. 

During the celebration, RRH also recognized team members whose support plays a vital role in enabling nursing excellence, reinforcing that outstanding patient care is always a team effort. 

Together, the evening served as a powerful reminder of the dedication, humanity, and expertise that define Rochester Regional Health’s nursing community.

Honorees

We are proud to recognize the outstanding individuals who received DAISY, BEE, and other special nursing-related awards across our system: