Many families come to Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital uncertain about what comes next. More often than not, it’s a nurse who helps to make their rehabilitation journey feel possible, creating moments that quietly change everything.

This year during Nursing Week, we celebrated the nurses behind these moments –those who bring their all to every shift, every day. They deliver exceptional, compassionate care, provide encouragement and support through every medical procedure and help equip the next generation with the highly specialized skills needed to support clients and families within and beyond our walls.

At Holland Bloorview, we celebrate this excellence through The DAISY Award, an international recognition honouring nurses who go above and beyond for the clients and families they serve. Here, that means showing up with empathy, listening deeply and supporting families through some of their most complex and challenging experiences.

As Angela Renkema, Nursing Vision and Strategy Lead, shares:

“One of my favourite things about Nursing Week is celebrating our DAISY award recipients. Seeing teams come together to surprise and celebrate each recipient, and hearing the stories of impact our nurses have every day, highlights the incredible compassion, dedication and teamwork that define nursing at Holland Bloorview. These moments remind us just how meaningful and far-reaching that care really is.”

That same sense of compassion and connection shows up in how one family describes Sid Ramakie, a registered practical nurse on the Complex Continuing Care unit and one of this year’s DAISY Award recipients. 

During a particularly difficult time, he offered “thoughtful insight, genuine hope and a grounded presence,” and later followed up simply to check in, making sure they were okay. To them, it was a quiet gesture that “revealed who he truly is.”

As they share, Sid “cares not only for his clients, but for the heart of the families beside them,” a reflection of the kind of care that leaves a lasting impact.

Irene Andress, vice president of programs & services and chief nursing executive, reflects on the meaning behind these recognitions:

“The DAISY award offers an opportunity to pause and celebrate the extraordinary contributions of our nurses. Each story shared highlights the meaningful impact nurses have on clients, families and teams across Holland Bloorview.”

This recognition speaks to something bigger than any one award. Across inpatient units and outpatient services, Holland Bloorview nurses build relationships that extend beyond treatment plans and daily routines. They are educators, advocates and steady sources of reassurance, helping families navigate uncertainty while focusing on what matters most to them.

The nurses at Holland Bloorview also build each other up, mentoring new nurses, sharing knowledge and continuously growing in their own practice. It’s a culture rooted in compassion, courage and a shared belief in every client’s potential.

Today and every day, we celebrate The DAISY Award winners and the much broader community of nurses who bring care and dedication to every shift.

To all our nurses, thank you for the care you provide and the difference you make for the clients you serve and the colleagues you work alongside.

By Brendan Byrne