UMass Memorial Health

Kaylynn Ciccone, UMass Memorial Medical Center

I’ve worked with Kaylynn for a few years now, and I can think of hundreds of ways she’s gone above and beyond, not only for her patients but for her colleagues as well. She takes immense pride in caring for people. She approaches every patient and situation with equal parts kindness and confidence. Kaylynn is truly a gift to everyone who has met her!

Nominated by Kelsy Microulis

Briana Couture, UMass Memorial Medical Center

Briana was my postpartum nurse for a few shifts after the recent birth of our first child. My labor and delivery experience was complicated, and I was hospitalized longer than intended, hormonal, and overwhelmed. I am also a registered nurse and work among many medical professionals — Briana is one of the most compassionate caregivers I have met and was exactly the type of support I needed at the time. I am forever grateful for her kindness and skilled care.

Nominated by Michelle LaRiviere

Jenny Gonza, UMass Memorial Medical Center 

Being diagnosed with cancer is both physically and mentally challenging to the patient. When I first started this journey, I was assigned to nurse Jenny Gonza. As with all new patients, there were a lot of unknowns: How will I respond to treatment? What are the possible side effects? When will I start feeling better?

I am sure Jenny could see my worry and concern for what my future holds when we first met. She took the time to listen to my story about how I ended up there. She assured me that the nurses and doctors at the facility are familiar with my type of cancer, have treated other patients with the same disease, and that I would start to feel better soon. I truly feel Jenny knows what the patient is going through. She brought a sense of ease and hope to me, like I was at the right place.

My treatment was aggressive, and I was receiving it every other day. I was always greeted by Jenny with a smile and a “How are you doing?” Fighting cancer and treatment is a marathon. I knew I was not going to be better within a week or two like I had a common cold. There was always blood work, followed by various shots and intravenous medication drips. 

Jenny is a very skilled nurse. At times, the phlebotomist on duty would struggle to find my vein for the blood draw to see if I would receive treatment that day based on the results. I would always ask if they could get Jenny to come over and draw my blood, which she always did. Not only was she able to draw my blood the first time, but also provide guidance to the phlebotomist on how she was able to do it. Sometimes my vein needed to be warmed up, given a little pat to wake it up, or for the tourniquet to be a little tighter. I saw her skill applied to me and her leadership in teaching her colleagues.

Prior to treatment, Jenny would review my blood work results with me and communicate to Dr. Winokur in real time if anything was abnormal in order for treatment to proceed. She would explain each shot or treatment I would be receiving that day so I would have a good understanding of what it does. Jenny keeps a close eye on me during treatment for possible side effects by taking and recording my blood pressure and pulse in the database and always asking how I am feeling.

Jenny often fills in for her colleagues while they are out of the office, pulling double duty, managing last minute treatment coverage for patients while taking care of her own patients. I am very thankful to have Jenny as my nurse. Her care for me and her demonstrated skillset have been exceptional. 

Nominated by Paul Stachelek

Sofia Grace, UMass Memorial Health – Milford Regional

Seeing Sofia walking down the hallway, smiling as usual, I asked her how her day was. She responded, “My patient complained that she didn’t like the chicken tenders that the kitchen brought up and could really use a Coke.” So Sofia went to the cafeteria and got the patient a fresh order of chicken fingers and a bottle of Coke — with her own money — because she’s amazing and one of the kindest people I know. 

Sofia, you are amazing not just because of this, but because since I’ve met you, you’ve always been so kind, caring, loving, and such a great nurse. Keep doing what you do. You have always impressed me.

Nominated by Kevin Rafter

Denise Mangini, UMass Memorial Medical Center

Denise was an incredible nurse to our daughter during her extensive neonatal intensive care unit stay. She was attentive and compassionate. When she was the nurse with our daughter, we knew she was in the absolute best hands.

Nominated by Lauren Hines

Audra Sprague, UMass Memorial Health – HealthAlliance – Clinton Hospital

Nurse Audra Sprague is a true advocate for patient safety, guided by morals, ethics, and common decency, not corporate greed.

Audra Sprague is a longtime emergency department nurse at Nashoba Valley Medical Center and now UMass Memorial Health – HealthAlliance – Clinton Hospital. She testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) on Sept. 12, 2024. She detailed the devastating impact of Steward Health Care’s financial mismanagement, including severe staffing shortages and lack of supplies, which directly contributed to the hospital’s closure.

Nurse Audra Sprague is an attentive and compassionate caregiver who works for the best outcomes for her patients, regardless of limited resources, a true advocate for patient safety — and a true health care hero. The United States needs women like her to run for public office.

Nominated by Martha King

Wentworth-Douglass Hospital

Dani Rezac, Wentworth-Douglass Hospital

Dani currently serves in quality improvement and stroke coordination, but her impact reaches far beyond her job description. She is a fierce advocate for patients and nurses, consistently ensuring that systems are safe, evidence-based, and centered on dignity. Her clinical expertise is exceptional, and her attention to detail, down to the smallest data point or even a misplaced comma (a running joke among us), reflects how seriously she takes her responsibility to protect patients.

What truly sets Dani apart is her authenticity. She is 100 percent real with her patients. There is no baby talk or empty reassurance, just honest, respectful, compassionate communication. She builds trust by speaking clearly and treating patients as capable partners in their care. That “real talk” creates meaningful relationships grounded in dignity and mutual respect.

I witnessed her extraordinary dedication during a major electronic medical record (EMR) transition when she moved into the hospital for over a week to ensure the change went smoothly. She sacrificed precious time with her wife and two young children so that staff would feel supported and patients would remain safe. She worked tirelessly — problem-solving in real time, guiding nurses through uncertainty, and ensuring no patient experience suffered during the transition.

Dani leads without needing a title. She models integrity, accountability, advocacy, and heart. She gives so much of herself every single day — not for recognition but because she believes deeply in the profession and the people it serves.

Nurses like Dani Rezac are the reason patients feel safe, heard, and truly cared for.

Nominated by Mary Lynn Snow

Westerly Hospital

Niki Akaka, Westerly Hospital

I would like to recognize Niki Akaka, who demonstrated outstanding compassion, clinical skill, communication, and advocacy during my care.

From the moment I met Niki, she made me feel seen and heard. She took the time to listen to my concerns and acknowledged my anxiety with patience and kindness. Her calm presence immediately put me at ease during a stressful situation.

Niki’s clinical competency was evident in her thorough assessments and attention to detail. She anticipated my needs, responded quickly to changes, and explained each step of my care in a clear, reassuring way. I felt confident and safe knowing she was monitoring my condition.

Niki communicated clearly and encouraged questions, making sure I understood my treatment plan. Most importantly, she advocated for me when I voiced concerns, ensuring my needs were addressed.

Because of her compassion and professionalism, I felt respected, supported, and truly cared for throughout my experience.

Nominated by Michelle Shipperley

Winchester Hospital

Kendra Bunting, Winchester Hospital

I am a medical social worker, and I have worked with Kendra for about five years in our maternity unit. Kendra is a postpartum nurse who cares for new mothers and their infants after childbirth. 

Kendra and I shared a patient together whose partner unexpectedly passed away during the patient’s pregnancy, meaning that he, unfortunately, never got the opportunity to meet his newborn baby. It is well-known in the field of health care that a bedside nurse is required to balance many tasks throughout their shifts. Despite having multiple patients to care for, Kendra saw that this patient was emotionally struggling, and she made the time to sit with her and ask her about how her recent experiences had been affecting her.

Although “How are you really doing?” seems like such a simple question, its power should never be underestimated. This genuine curiosity created a space in which the patient was able to share her story, in her own words. Kendra was attentive and empathic and listened to how difficult things had been for the patient without trying to solve or dismiss what was being said. What Kendra did for her patient is what, in the social work field, is called “meeting someone where they’re at.” 

Kendra took the next step, as well, by calling an interdisciplinary huddle, which included me. It was clear that her priority was ensuring that her patient not only received the physical care she needed to recover from delivering her baby, but that she also received the emotional support that she needed and deserved. Kendra is an excellent example of how medicine can heal more than just physical wounds when patients’ humanity is held at the forefront of bedside practice.

Nominated by Cameron Mas