Emergency Department nurse Kaylah Hallam honored with DAISY Award

Kaylah Hallam, BSN, RN, TCRN, in the Emergency Department, received a DAISY Award this week for the meaningful difference she makes every day for patients, families, and her colleagues. Whether providing expert care in critical moments or mentoring the next generation of nurses, Kaylah is known for bringing compassion, steadiness, and a patient-first mindset to everything she does.

From the nomination:

“I am honored to nominate Kaylah Hallam for the DAISY Award in recognition of her exceptional dedication to patient care, her compassion for others, and her outstanding leadership within the UC Davis Emergency Department.

“Kaylah has been an integral member of the UC Davis ED since 2014. Over the years, she has steadily advanced through the clinical ladder to achieve her CNIII status, a testament to her commitment to professional growth and excellence in nursing. She has served on several committees, including the critical care leadership team, and has played a pivotal role in numerous initiatives that have enhanced both patient experiences and departmental operations.

“Kaylah is known for her kindness, humility, and tireless work ethic. Whenever asked to take on a task or new responsibility, her response is always an enthusiastic, ‘Yes, of course!’ She has served as a primary preceptor to many nurses new to the department and has mentored countless others as they develop skills in specialized areas such as triage and critical care. Kaylah is not only an exceptional teacher but also a role model, she leads by example, embodying the department’s values, policies, and standards in everything she does.

“While there are countless examples of Kaylah’s remarkable work, one story stands out:

“A pregnant woman who experienced a traumatic injury was transported to UC Davis, where the Emergency Department and Trauma teams immediately began her care. That day, Kaylah was working alongside an Air Force nurse from David Grant Medical Center, who was training with the team to gain trauma experience.

“From the moment the patient arrived, Kaylah was fully engaged in her care, recognizing both her obvious injuries and the fact that she was 28 weeks pregnant. Kaylah remained attentive to the patient’s pain, offered constant reassurance, and served as a strong advocate for both mother and baby. Her persistence in ensuring close fetal monitoring proved critical when it became clear the baby was in distress.

“After her recovery, the patient expressed deep appreciation for the team’s quick, coordinated response and the compassion shown by the nurses, who remained by her side, helping manage her pain and offering reassurance during a very difficult time.

“Thanks to the team’s quick action and Kaylah’s advocacy, the baby was delivered via emergency C-section, weighing under 3 lbs., and went on to spend several weeks in the NICU.

“Later, the Air Force nurse recounted this case and spoke highly of Kaylah’s calm leadership, compassionate approach, and outstanding clinical skill. He described being deeply impressed by how she balanced expert decision-making with genuine empathy, a true reflection of her character and professionalism.

“Kaylah’s work with the mother and baby is just one example of how she changes lives every day. She provides not only exceptional clinical care but also emotional support to patients and families, all while uplifting her colleagues through mentorship and example. Kaylah embodies everything the DAISY Award represents, compassion, excellence, and the heart of nursing.”*

Congratulations, Kaylah, on your DAISY Award! 
* This nomination has been edited to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of the patient and family.

About DAISY Awards:
The DAISY Award is part of The DAISY Foundation, an international program dedicated to recognizing nursing excellence. Established by the Barnes family in memory of their son, Patrick, the award honors the exceptional, compassionate care Patrick received from nurses during his eight-week hospitalization. To express their gratitude, the family created the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, celebrating the remarkable and often unsung work nurses perform every day at the bedside.