Congratulations to Mckenzie Najjar, RN I - 7 MTN PCU, CRMH - on winning the DAISY Award for October 2023

The DAISY Foundation is a world-wide recognition program to acknowledge the amazing work of our extraordinary nurses; Carilion Clinic is proud to be a part of the DAISY Foundation. Nurse Mckenzie Najjar showed incredible instinct when she advocated for a patient's care and made a wonderful difference in the patient and her family's life.  Please take a moment to read her amazing nomination story below. 

During my spouse's initial stay at the PCU, she began showing signs of anxiety and issues with breathing. She was scheduled to be discharged that day which I was uncomfortable with. Her nurse, Mckenzie Najjar, also felt that the issues she was experiencing were concerning. Nurse Najjar's actions talking with the doctor were critical in delaying her discharge to the next day. Nurse Najjar's expertise and gut instinct proved to be one of the defining moments that save my wife's life. Later that day, my wife's breathing issues became more serious. After multiple breathing treatments and a bipap, she eventually was unable to breathe and had to be rushed to ICU and put on a respirator/ventilator. She remained in ICU for a number of days in critical condition. If my wife had been discharged as scheduled she would not have survived. Nurse Mckenzie Najjar's actions and instincts were spot on, and her willingness to totally discuss with the doctor her concerns regarding my wife's condition were crucial in her survival. I recommend nurse McKenzie Najjar for this DAISY award. From my perspective and our family, my wife's life is priceless and recognizing nurse McKenzie Najjar accordingly seem only fair. Thank you.