At Mercy Circle, the difference between a good day and a great day can be as simple as a smile, a helping hand or someone who truly listens.
The DAISY Award was created to recognize selfless nurses who go above and beyond each shift and whose daily gestures, often quiet and behind the scenes, leave a lasting mark on the lives of those in their care.
On Feb. 4, one of Mercy Circle’s staff was honored with the DAISY Award.
Sandra Ramirez has been working at Mercy Circle for three years as a licensed practical nurse (LPN), and in that time, she’s quickly transformed the lives of the residents who eagerly await her visits.
“She’s a very special lady,” said Sr. Mary DePaul Palaszek, RSM, who nominated Ramirez for the award. “She’s not a woman who holds the nursing degree above service. The nursing degree is really one of service, and that’s what Sandra believes in.”
Ramirez hadn’t always imagined herself as an LPN. As a teenager, she saw her grandfather battle cancer, and it was then that she discovered the impact of simply being there for someone.
“I wanted to make him feel good; I was a teenager at the time, and I saw him suffering. I just felt the need to make him feel better,” Ramirez said. “I found out that I can’t do it for everybody, but I can do it for some.”
At Mercy Circle, Ramirez treats residents like family. She pays attention to the small details others might overlook and goes the extra mile to ensure each resident feels seen, comfortable and cared for.
“She listens to us, and that’s a rare gift. You can have people who know what to do and how to do it, but they are not able to listen to the resident; Sandra listens,” said Sr. DePaul Palaszek. “As of December 2025, I have been unable to actually read or write; and Sandra understood that, and she was there for me. I appreciated that.”
That feeling of comfort, Ramirez said, is a two-way street.
“Maybe I make them feel comfortable, but they also make me feel comfortable,” Ramirez said. “I see it more as them making an impact on me and how I do my job every day.”
For residents and colleagues alike, Ramirez’s dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed. The DAISY Award is much more than a moment in the spotlight; it’s a reflection of the countless ways she brings comfort to those around her.
Erin Gessert I Editor I February 11, 2026