Altru Nurse Candy Lagamayo Receives DAISY Award for Compassion and Attentiveness

Altru is proud to recognize Candy Lagamayo, RN, a 7th floor nurse at Altru’s Grand Forks hospital, as the newest recipient of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.

Lagamayo was nominated by several patients who described her as an exceptionally caring nurse whose compassion, attentiveness, and proactive approach made a lasting impact during their hospital stays.

Altru Director of Nursing Services Sara Dvorak said Lagamayo exemplifies the qualities celebrated through the DAISY Award. "Candy consistently demonstrates what it means to provide patient-centered care," Dvorak said. "The thoughtful way she anticipates needs and goes above and beyond for those in her care reflects the very best of the nursing profession."

A patient recalled how Lagamayo was always one step ahead, providing comfort and support before requests were even made. After learning the patient would need to avoid certain medications because of a new diagnosis, Lagamayo took the initiative to print a comprehensive medication list and highlight key information to help them better understand and manage their condition.

"She listened to everything I said and made me feel heard, respected, and safe," the patient wrote in their nomination. "She knew what I needed before I needed it. Her peaceful demeanor was so comforting, and she was quick and quiet through the night so I could get as much sleep as possible."

The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, Calif., and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little-known, but not uncommon, auto-immune disease. The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.