Celebrating Compassion in Action: DAISY Award Winner Charleen Austin, RN

At Adventist Health Mendocino Coast, we are proud to recognize nurses who go above and beyond in their commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care. This quarter, we are honored to celebrate Charleen Austin, RN, of our Oncology/Infusion Center, as our DAISY Award winner.

Charleen embodies what it means to care for the whole person. She supports patients through some of their most difficult and vulnerable moments with a calm presence, clinical expertise, and a deep sense of empathy. Her approach to care is rooted in truly seeing each patient, listening closely, and ensuring they feel supported every step of the way.

Patients consistently describe the impact she makes during their care experience. One patient shared:

“Charleen stood out with a level of compassion, expertise and shared humanity that I rarely see. She anticipated every possible way to lower discomfort during my chemotherapy treatment and personally advocated for me when challenges arose. I wish all medical care professionals were like Charleen.”

In addition to her exceptional bedside care, Charleen is also a respected leader and mentor within the Oncology team. She plays a vital role in training new nurses, offering guidance grounded in patience, professionalism, and integrity. Her contributions also extend to supporting team workflows and helping bridge communication between staff and leadership.

Charleen’s colleagues describe her as steady, thoughtful, and deeply dedicated to providing the highest standard of care. Her patients remember her for something even more meaningful, the comfort, dignity, and reassurance she provides during life’s most challenging times.

We are grateful to recognize Charleen Austin as our Quarterly DAISY Award winner. Her work is a powerful reminder of the difference compassionate nursing makes every day.

About the DAISY Award

The DAISY Award is an international recognition program that honors and celebrates the extraordinary clinical skill and compassionate care nurses provide every day. It was established by the DAISY Foundation in memory of J. Patrick Barnes and is awarded to nurses who make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and families.