Congratulations to our newest DAISY Honoree, Alaina Wilken. Alaina is a Nurse with Labor and Delivery. The DAISY Award recognizes the exceptional, skillful, and compassionate care these nurses demonstrate for our patients and families every day.

Her nomination read, “In August I had my second son at Riverside. The morning of my birth I sent my husband to work for a training an hour away. I was definitely in denial that I was in labor. I had an appointment with Dr. Andrew at 10 and she immediately sent me to labor and delivery because I was 5cm dilated! Due to not having my husband with me right away and having Alaina greet me with a smile was something I definitely needed. She asked me what my goals were and talked through how we could make those things happen. I didn’t have the best birthing experience with my first son in 2022 and had some trauma from it. Alaina went ABOVE and BEYOND to walk and talk me through every step of the way. She made me feel safe and heard while I was alone. My husband finally made it and we made the decision to get an epidural and break my water. A lot of my anxiety came from my negative reaction to the epidural
the first time. Alaina walked me through the process and told me the steps she will do to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Due to the anxiety I was a sobbing mess while doing the epidural. Some of the people in the room asked me if I was in pain because I was crying so hard. I couldn’t even speak and
Alaina looked at them all and said “Emily did not have a good experience with the epidural her first birth, but we have a plan to change that this time around. Emily is so strong and can get through this.” To say I was grateful for someone I just met that day and had full confidence she was going to take care of me
while I am at the most vulnerable state a woman can be at is an understatement. Looking back at my second son’s birthday it was EVERYTHING I have ever dreamed of and it would not have been possible without Alaina

For a full list of nominees, click here.