Riverwood Healthcare Center is proud to recognize Amanda VanderHagen, RN, as the latest recipient of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, an international honor celebrating compassionate, patient-centered care.
VanderHagen was nominated by Amanda Bostrom, a speech therapist at Riverwood and recent first-time parent, for the exceptional support she provided during labor and delivery. In her nomination, Bostrom shared that VanderHagen’s calm presence and passion for patient care were evident from the moment she entered the room.
“As first-time parents, we were excited but anxious,” Bostrom wrote. “Amanda explained each step in a way that made us feel informed and empowered. Her reassurance helped ground us when things felt overwhelming.”
When labor resulted in an unplanned C-section, VanderHagen remained composed and encouraging, guiding the family through the unexpected with confidence and compassion. She continued to provide support in the days following delivery, offering guidance through early feeding challenges and answering every question with kindness.
“Amanda truly embodies the heart of nursing,” said Carla Zupko, Chief Nursing Officer at Riverwood Healthcare Center. “She blends strong clinical expertise with genuine compassion, fostering calm, trust, and reassurance during some of life’s most vulnerable moments.”
The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, CA, and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.
The DAISY Award and DAISY Team Award are initiatives of The DAISY Foundation in service to the nursing profession. Additionally, DAISY offers J. Patrick Barnes Grants for Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Projects, The DAISY Faculty Award to honor inspiring faculty members in schools and colleges of nursing, and The DAISY in Training Award for nursing students. More information is available at http://DAISYfoundation.org
For more information about the DAISY Award or to nominate a nurse, visit Riverwood’s website or contact Carla Zupko at czupko@rwhealth.org.