About UI Health

ICARE Award

The ICARE Award is for employees and physicians who demonstrate the core values of UI Health, display a job performance that goes above and beyond expected performance, exhibit a patient-first mentality, are motivated and strive for excellence, contribute to the positive culture in the department and organization, and have made a difference in the life of a patient, visitor, or peer. Click here to submit a CARE Award nomination.

January 2026

Rachel Harris

Department: Occupational Therapy
Rachel Harris is recognized for her exceptional compassion, clinical judgment, and commitment to patient-centered care. During a recent encounter, she identified a postpartum mother in distress while visiting her infant in the NICU and immediately stepped in to ensure her safety and comfort. Although the patient was not within her assigned care responsibilities, Rachel personally assisted her back to her room and advocated with nursing staff to ensure her ongoing needs were addressed. Her actions reflect a deep sense of empathy, initiative, and professionalism, exemplifying UI Health’s ICARE values and a steadfast commitment to supporting patients and families during vulnerable moments.

Sherronda Walker

Department: OCC Child & Youth Center
Sherronda Walker is recognized for her exceptional compassion, communication, and ability to create a positive patient experience during a recent clinic visit. She provided outstanding support to a young patient undergoing vaccines and a blood draw, taking time to patiently explain procedures, answer questions, and ease his anxiety. Through her calm presence, respect, and ability to meet the patient where he was, she transformed a stressful experience into an educational and empowering one. Her warmth, professionalism, and genuine care reflect a deep commitment to patient-centered service and make a lasting impact on the individuals and families she serves.

Tanisha Sellers

Department: OCC Child & Youth Center
Tanisha Sellers is recognized for her extraordinary compassion, professionalism, and ability to support pediatric patients through highly anxious clinical experiences. During a recent visit, she cared for a patient who was extremely fearful of vaccines and blood draws, taking time to acknowledge his emotions, validate his concerns, and guide him through the process with patience and respect. Her calm, reassuring presence helped transform a stressful encounter into a successful and empowering experience, allowing the patient to complete his care with confidence. Ms. Sellers’ warmth, empathy, and patient-centered approach exemplify excellence in nursing and leave a lasting positive impact on both patients and families.

February 2026

Catherine Albecker

Department: Case Management
Cathy is recognized for her exceptional expertise, collaboration, and unwavering commitment to patient-centered discharge planning. As a valued member of the care team, she generously shares her knowledge with colleagues and provides practical guidance to support safe and effective transitions of care. In multidisciplinary rounds, she consistently advocates for patients with complex needs, helping identify realistic and effective solutions even in highly challenging cases. One recent example highlights her persistence and dedication, as she worked diligently to resolve a long-standing insurance issue to ensure a patient’s discharge needs could be met. Through her thorough follow-up, strong communication, and deep understanding of each patient’s history, Cathy exemplifies outstanding advocacy and professionalism, ensuring patients receive the care and resources they need.

Guadalupe Ortiz

Department: OCC Child & Youth Center
Guadalupe (Lupe) Ortiz is recognized for her exceptional dedication, reliability, and commitment to patient safety at the Child and Youth Center. She consistently goes above and beyond to ensure clinic operations run smoothly and that patients receive uninterrupted, high-quality care. In a recent situation involving vaccine storage concerns, Lupe took immediate and appropriate action to protect vaccine integrity and ensure compliance with safety standards. Demonstrating remarkable initiative, she also returned on her day off to confirm that equipment was properly restored and ready for use. Her proactive problem-solving, strong sense of responsibility, and unwavering commitment to patients and staff exemplify the highest standards of excellence and the spirit of the ICARE values.

Joanna Ostrowski

Department: Medical ICU
Joanna is recognized for her exceptional compassion, clinical professionalism, and patient- and family-centered care during a loved one’s stay in the Medical ICU. She provided skilled, attentive care while also serving as a strong advocate for the patient’s comfort and ability to communicate, offering thoughtful solutions to support his needs. Joanna took time to clearly explain treatments and procedures, ensuring the patient and family felt informed and supported throughout a difficult time. Her kindness, presence, and emotional support extended to the entire family, reflecting deep empathy and a strong commitment to holistic care. Joanna’s actions exemplify excellence in nursing and leave a lasting impact on the patients and families she serves.

Mari Rivera

Department: Endocrinology – Nutrition & Wellness
Mari is recognized for her exceptional compassion, empathy, and unwavering commitment to supporting others. She consistently demonstrates a quiet but powerful dedication to caring for individuals and families, offering comfort, advocacy, and meaningful support during difficult moments. Known for her ability to listen without judgment and respond with kindness and understanding, Mari provides care that is both deeply human and profoundly impactful. She does not seek recognition, yet her actions have a lasting positive effect on those around her, reflecting the highest ideals of service, empathy, and integrity. Mari’s presence strengthens her community and exemplifies the spirit of the ICARE values.

Danyelle Williams

Department: Oncology
Danyelle is recognized for her exceptional compassion, presence, and commitment to patient- and family-centered care. During a recent hospitalization, she took time to meaningfully connect with both the patient and family, ensuring they felt seen, heard, and supported throughout their stay. She consistently checked in, provided thoughtful updates, and extended her care beyond clinical needs to include emotional support for the entire family. Her warm, uplifting demeanor and ability to build trust in a short time had a profound impact during a difficult experience. Danyelle’s empathy, professionalism, and dedication to holistic care reflect the highest standards of nursing excellence.

Olivia Rodriguez

Department: Ophthalmology
Olivia is recognized for consistently exemplifying UI Health’s values of compassion, accountability, respect, and excellence. She approaches every interaction with professionalism and empathy, always prioritizing patient needs and ensuring reliable follow-through on commitments. Olivia is a collaborative team member who communicates effectively across departments and contributes to a positive, efficient care environment. She is widely respected by her peers for her integrity, positive attitude, and dedication to high-quality patient care. Her commitment to excellence and respectful, patient-centered approach make her a strong and deserving candidate for this recognition.

Daranee Amornkiatipisan

Department: 5SE Surgical
Daranee demonstrated exceptional compassion and a patient-first approach while supporting the Restfulness Initiative on 5E. She thoughtfully involved patients in conversations about the new "Be a Respectful Neighbor" signs, ensuring they understood the purpose of the initiative while prioritizing their comfort and care throughout the process. Her dedication, professionalism, and commitment to excellence reflect the ICARE values and contribute to a positive culture for both patients and colleagues.

March 2026

Colliness Morris

Department: 7W Transplant
Colliness is recognized for his exceptional compassion, professionalism, and dedication to patient care on the transplant unit. He is consistently proactive, reliable, and eager to support both patients and colleagues, always stepping in to help without hesitation. Colliness treats every individual with dignity and respect, creating a sense of comfort and trust for those in his care. His thoughtful approach and commitment to excellence make a meaningful difference in the patient experience and reflect the highest standards of compassionate care.

Colleen Morley

Department: Care Coordination
Colleen is recognized for her exceptional compassion, advocacy, and commitment to supporting patients beyond routine expectations. During a recent encounter, she took the initiative to engage with an older adult patient expressing hesitation about applying for social assistance programs. Colleen provided reassurance, clear education, and practical guidance, helping the patient feel more comfortable exploring available resources. She also offered direct follow-up support to ensure the patient could access next steps without confusion or delay. Her willingness to pause, listen, and intervene meaningfully reflects a deep commitment to patient-centered care and exemplifies UI Health’s ICARE values in action.

Briana Buckingham

Department: Human Resources
Briana is recognized for consistently exemplifying UI Health’s ICARE values through her exceptional work in employee onboarding. She creates a welcoming, supportive, and well-organized experience for new hires, ensuring they feel prepared, informed, and valued from their very first interaction. Briana balances accuracy and compliance with a strong people-centered approach, managing onboarding processes with professionalism, attention to detail, and reliability. She is also known for her warm communication style, collaborative spirit, and commitment to continuous improvement, all of which contribute to a positive and efficient onboarding experience that supports the broader mission of patient care.

Kayla Cager

Department: Human Resources
Kayla is recognized for her exceptional leadership, professionalism, and commitment to excellence within onboarding operations at UI Health. She plays a key role in ensuring a smooth, efficient, and compliant transition for new hires by managing complex onboarding processes with accuracy, ownership, and attention to detail. Kayla proactively addresses potential challenges, collaborates effectively across departments, and maintains a calm, solutions-focused approach under pressure. Her respectful communication, reliability, and dedication to continuous improvement strengthen trust in onboarding processes and support timely workforce readiness across the organization.

Nicole Dziedzic

Department: Volunteer Services
Nicole is recognized for her exceptional leadership, coordination, and commitment to advancing clinical education and compliance at UI Health. She has played a pivotal role in streamlining clinical rotation and shadowing processes while ensuring alignment with institutional and regulatory requirements. Through strong partnership-building across internal departments and external academic institutions, Nicole has expanded clinical learning opportunities by establishing numerous affiliation agreements. She supports placements across a wide range of healthcare disciplines and has also developed meaningful shadowing experiences that help inspire future healthcare professionals. Her dedication, organization, and collaborative approach have significantly strengthened clinical education pathways and operational efficiency across UI Health.

April 2026

Gail Weeden

Department: Arthritis Kidney Clinic
Gail Weeden is recognized for her exceptional professionalism, compassion, and unwavering commitment to patient-centered care. She consistently exemplifies UI Health’s ICARE values through her thoughtful, respectful approach to every patient and colleague interaction. A trusted and collaborative team member, Gail is known for delivering high-quality care while supporting quality improvement initiatives, promoting patient safety, and generously sharing her knowledge with others. Her dedication to excellence, integrity, and teamwork helps foster a positive, inclusive environment and makes a meaningful impact on both patients and the care team.

Sheila Felizardo-Aguilar

Department: ICU
Sheila is recognized for her extraordinary compassion, attentiveness, and unwavering dedication to patient- and family-centered care. During a patient’s stay in the ICU, she provided exceptional support by anticipating needs, offering comfort, and ensuring the patient received thoughtful, personalized care despite being unable to communicate fully. Her kindness, frequent check-ins, and genuine concern brought reassurance not only to the patient but also to the entire family during an incredibly difficult time. Sheila’s ability to combine clinical excellence with empathy and compassion created a lasting impact, exemplifying the very best of UI Health’s ICARE values.

Maddie Wohl

Department: Occupational Therapy
Maddie Wohl is recognized for her exceptional leadership, clinical expertise, and commitment to advancing patient care in the Medical Intensive Care Unit. She has strengthened interdisciplinary collaboration by improving communication around early mobility, therapy readiness, and coordinated care for critically ill patients. Maddie is also a dedicated mentor, playing a key role in training new occupational therapists and educating ICU nurses on best practices that enhance teamwork and patient recovery. Through her clinical excellence, collaborative leadership, and commitment to staff development, Maddie has made a lasting impact on both patient outcomes and the quality of care within the MICU.

Sarah Goldenberg

Department: Physical Therapy
Sarah is recognized for her exceptional leadership, collaboration, and dedication to advancing patient care in the Medical Intensive Care Unit. She has been instrumental in strengthening interdisciplinary teamwork by improving communication around early mobility, developing staff education, and fostering strong partnerships with nursing and respiratory therapy teams. Through her leadership, she has helped expand safe mobilization practices for critically ill patients, enhanced onboarding and competency training, and championed innovative approaches to improve patient outcomes. Known for her collaborative spirit, mentorship, and commitment to recognizing the contributions of others, Sarah’s advocacy for excellence has had a lasting impact on both the MICU team and the patients they serve.

Rosie Villapando

Department: NICU
Rosie is recognized for her exceptional compassion, attentiveness, and dedication to providing outstanding care for her patients and their families. She consistently goes above and beyond to ensure patients are comfortable, safe, and well cared for, while taking the time to answer questions with kindness and clarity. Her genuine passion for nursing brings reassurance to families during uncertain times, creating a sense of trust and comfort. Rosie’s warmth, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to excellence leave a lasting impact on the patients and loved ones she serves.

Annepeth Bonete

Department: OR
Annepeth Bonete is recognized for her exceptional leadership, professionalism, and commitment to excellence in spine surgery. Through meticulous planning and coordination, she ensures complex surgical cases are executed safely and efficiently while fostering seamless collaboration among multidisciplinary teams. A trusted leader in the operating room, Anne mentors colleagues, supports staff development, and champions initiatives that strengthen onboarding, education, and quality improvement. Her dedication to patient safety, operational excellence, and continuous improvement has made a lasting impact on the spine surgery team and the patients they serve.

Merlyn Thomas

Department: Radiology
Merlyn is recognized for her exceptional compassion, professionalism, and ability to create a reassuring experience for patients during stressful procedures. She has a remarkable gift for putting patients at ease through genuine conversation, empathy, and clear communication, helping reduce anxiety and build trust from the moment they arrive. Her ability to connect with patients in both English and Spanish further enhances the quality of care, ensuring individuals feel understood, respected, and supported. A trusted and collaborative member of the care team, Merlyn consistently promotes a calm, positive environment while ensuring both patients and colleagues have what they need for a successful outcome.

Alice Gil-Ramirez

Department: Cardiology
Alice is recognized for her exceptional dedication, professionalism, and patient-centered approach within the Structural Heart Program. She plays a vital role in coordinating complex cardiac care, ensuring patients are guided smoothly through scheduling, communication, and preparation for advanced procedures. Known for her calm presence, strong attention to detail, and commitment to clear communication, Alice consistently advocates for patients and helps address concerns promptly to ensure confidence in their care. She collaborates effectively across multiple departments to support timely, coordinated treatment and has also contributed to community outreach efforts. Alice’s compassion, reliability, and commitment to excellence make her an invaluable member of the care team and a trusted resource for both patients and colleagues.

Jess Kane & Brandie Franklin

Department: Occupational Therapy & Continuum of Care
Jess and Brandie demonstrated exceptional compassion, teamwork, and patient-centered care while supporting a patient facing complex mental health and social challenges. Together, they went above and beyond to address the patient's immediate needs, advocate for essential resources, and ensure they felt supported with dignity and respect. Their collaboration reflects the power of interdisciplinary teamwork and a shared commitment to providing equitable, holistic care that truly makes a difference.

May 2026

Laurina Karston

Department: Occupational Therapy
Laurinda is recognized for her exceptional dedication, clinical expertise, and commitment to patient-centered care. She consistently goes above and beyond to help patients achieve the functional skills needed for a safe and successful transition home, tailoring care to each individual’s unique goals and challenges. Through her creativity, persistence, and strong advocacy, Laurinda has helped patients and families overcome complex barriers to discharge while building confidence and independence. Her compassionate approach, thoughtful communication, and unwavering commitment to excellence make a meaningful difference in the lives of her patients and exemplify the highest standards of care.

Desiree Salgado

Department: Physical Therapy
Des is recognized for her exceptional dedication, clinical expertise, and patient-centered approach in acute care physical therapy. She played a key role in the recovery of a long-stay neuro patient by building strong therapeutic rapport, leveraging her neurorehabilitation skills, and using Spanish language proficiency to enhance communication with both the patient and family. Through individualized, meaningful interventions and consistent family education, she helped the patient progress significantly in mobility, function, and confidence. Her collaborative approach and commitment to patient and family understanding were instrumental in supporting a successful discharge home. Des exemplifies compassion, accountability, and excellence in her daily practice, making a profound impact on patient outcomes.

Teresa Izaguirre

Department: Language Support Services
Teresa is recognized for being an essential and highly valued member of the department, consistently exemplifying UI Health’s ICARE values in every aspect of her work. She plays a vital role in supporting patient-centered care by helping patients communicate in their preferred language, significantly reducing anxiety and enhancing understanding during vulnerable moments. Teresa is known for her calm presence, kindness, and ability to make patients feel safe, respected, and cared for. She is also a trusted and supportive colleague who readily assists staff and contributes to a positive, collaborative work environment. Her professionalism, warmth, and dedication make a meaningful difference for both patients and the care team every day.

Jennifer Phillips

Department: Ophthalmology
Jennifer Phillips is recognized for her exceptional coordination, professionalism, and commitment to patient-centered care throughout a recent surgical experience and follow-up care. She played a vital role in ensuring the procedure was successfully scheduled and completed, providing seamless communication, careful attention to detail, and proactive support at every stage of the process. Jennifer consistently demonstrated responsiveness, organization, and thoughtfulness in addressing questions and anticipating needs, helping to guide the patient through both clinical and logistical aspects of care. Her ability to facilitate clear communication and provide meaningful support during a complex care journey reflects a high standard of service and a strong commitment to patient experience.

Sony Paul

Department: Radiology
Sony Paul is recognized for his exceptional expertise, professionalism, and dedication as an MRI technologist. He consistently delivers high-quality imaging studies while ensuring that each patient is treated with compassion, dignity, and respect. Known for his strong attention to detail and collaboration with radiologists, Sony helps optimize imaging protocols to ensure accurate and diagnostically valuable results. He also plays an important leadership role within the department by mentoring junior technologists, supporting colleagues, and fostering a collaborative work environment. His commitment to excellence in both patient care and technical performance makes a meaningful impact on the quality of imaging services provided.

June 2026

Ann Howard

Department: Finance
Ann Howard is recognized for her exceptional compassion, patience, and professionalism in supporting patients and families navigating financial assistance processes. She took the time to clearly explain the Charity Care application step by step, helping to ease confusion and reduce stress for a patient who was hesitant to continue care due to prior medical debt. Through her thoughtful communication and respectful approach, Ann ensured the patient felt informed, supported, and treated with dignity throughout the process. Her ability to combine expertise with genuine care made a meaningful difference in restoring confidence in accessing care and reflects a strong commitment to patient-centered service.

Timothy O’Dowd

Department: Radiology
Tim O’Dowd is recognized for his exceptional advocacy, responsiveness, and commitment to timely, patient-centered care. In a time-sensitive situation involving a cancer patient whose care was delayed due to an unforeseen missed appointment, Tim worked diligently to coordinate and expedite next steps to ensure the patient could be seen promptly. His persistence and sense of urgency helped remove a critical barrier to care, enabling the patient to be medically cleared in time for surgery without further delay. Through his strong collaboration, professionalism, and dedication to patient outcomes, Tim demonstrated a high standard of excellence and a deep commitment to supporting patients during urgent and complex situations.

Colliness Morris

Department: 7W Transplant
Colliness is recognized for his exceptional kindness, persistence, and dedication to patient and family support. During a recent ICU stay, he went above and beyond to assist a family with a challenging situation involving a missing phone, spending significant time troubleshooting and problem-solving to help locate it. His patience, technical expertise, and refusal to give up ensured a successful resolution, providing great relief to the patient’s family. Beyond his technical help, Colliness demonstrated genuine compassion and a strong commitment to supporting patients and loved ones during a stressful time, reflecting the highest standards of service and care.

Amber Lee

Department: Linen Department
Amber is recognized for her exceptional reliability, professionalism, and commitment to supporting patient care through her essential work in Linen Services. She consistently ensures that clean, well-stocked linen is available to support safe, efficient, and high-quality care across the Perianesthesia unit. Known for her responsiveness, accountability, and problem-solving skills, Amber addresses needs quickly and effectively, helping maintain smooth operations in a fast-paced clinical environment. Beyond her technical contributions, she brings a positive and approachable presence that uplifts staff and enhances the daily work environment. Her dedication, consistency, and kindness make a meaningful impact on both patients and care teams.