WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT, February 9, 2021 — Gaylord Specialty Healthcare, a nonprofit rehabilitation-focused healthcare system based in Wallingford, presented its quarterly DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Care to Meriden resident, Marylou Colangelo, RN, BSN.
Colangelo was nominated by her colleague Jessica Crespo, RN, BSN, and supervisor Sandy Delong, RN, MSN, who called her a “true asset to the nursing profession."
“Marylou puts 110% of herself into the care of our patients,” they wrote in their nomination. “When her floor became the first dedicated COVID unit, Marylou maintained a calm, professional demeanor. She volunteered to care for COVID patients and was extremely compassionate and attentive to all of their needs. Her adaptability and dedication to patients, team members, and Gaylord was evident during this crisis. Her true character shined through!”
Crespo and Delong explained that Colangelo is well-known for her innate ability to care for challenging patients on both an emotional and physical level. “Whether it is with the family or the patient,” they wrote, “Marylou handles complex situations with professionalism, calmness, and confidence.”
A Gaylord employee for 20 years, Colangelo first came to Gaylord as a certified nursing assistant and later became a registered nurse.
“Gaylord is where my heart is,” she said. “I am proud to work in a place where I am truly able to connect with patients wherever they are at mentally or physically to help them heal and progress. My philosophy has always been to treat patients and families as if I am in their shoes. Life can change in the blink of an eye; any one of us can find ourselves in a position of needing help at any time.”
Colangelo said that although working during a pandemic has been “physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually challenging”, she was proud of her team’s cohesiveness as they worked together to ensure proper care and safety for the very sick COVID population.
“Winning the DAISY Award has shown me how appreciated I am by the team I respect so much. I am greatly humbled to receive this award that so many others deserve.”
About the DAISY Award:
The international award was created by the DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Foundation in memory of J. Patrick Barnes who died of an autoimmune disease in 1999. Appreciative of the clinical skills, caring, and compassion exhibited by each of the nurses who cared for Patrick, the Barnes family created the international award and foundation to say ‘thank you’ to nurses throughout the world.
About Gaylord Specialty Healthcare:
Gaylord Specialty Healthcare is a rehabilitation-focused, nonprofit health system located in Wallingford, Connecticut, that provides inpatient and outpatient care for people at every point in their journey from illness or injury to maximum recovery.
Gaylord Specialty Healthcare is anchored by Gaylord Hospital, a long-term acute care hospital, and includes Gaylord Outpatient Services and Gaylord Physical Therapy for patients who require diagnosis and treatment on an outpatient basis. Together, these entities deliver a complete continuum of rehab care driven by technology, research, clinical experience, and human compassion. For more information visit www.gaylord.org.
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