Minnesota Lynx Nurse Night Nominees 2025

	A	B
1	Name	Nomination
2	Grace Brooks	Our family is incredibly grateful for Grace Brooks, the phenomenal PICU nurse at Children's Minneapolis who cared for our son — and us caregivers — with unmatched dedication. Our son's hospital room was quickly dubbed "the Wild West," and we were so relieved whenever nurse Grace was "in town." Grace brought calm, order, and determination to each shift, keeping everyone in line and helping our son thrive. Grace won the DAISY Award this year through our nomination and we believe she deserves every honor possible and more: https://www.daisyfoundation.org/daisy-award/honorees/grace-brooks [DAISY Nomination] Grace deserves all the recognition and thanks in the world. Her patient's comfort was her top priority. Grace always took extra time to explain lab results and the "why," keeping us caregivers well-informed and educated. We so appreciated her methodical, detail oriented, and organized demeanor. Simple tasks like updating the date and detailing the night's plans on our whiteboard were never overlooked and so appreciated by us tired and helpless parents. If Grace wasn't satisfied with the care our son was getting, she quickly raised flags to doctors and staff to make a change. She was a force on the PICU floor in the best way possible! She wasn't afraid to ruffle feathers and our son thrived because of her tenacity. After our baby endured a particularly challenging and uncomfortable 24 hours, Grace clocked in for the night and immediately took action. Within her first half hour, she brought the doctor in bedside to reevaluate our sedation plan and demanded change. She worked with the respiratory therapist to help set our son up for success, discussing and testing different settings to ensure intubation didn't have to last any longer than necessary. She provided continued care and attentiveness during shift change and always set up the next nurse for success. Grace was an amazing advocate for our son and, as she insisted on comfort for him, we insist on praise for her! Thank you, Grace!
3	Kallie Hoffmann	I would like to nominate Kallie Ritchie for the DAISY Award for her exceptional care of my two-year-old daughter Isabelle ("Izzy") Sellers. Izzy was admitted to Children's because her oxygen levels were extremely low and she was later diagnosed with pneumonia. This was a terrifying time, but from the moment Izzy was admitted, Kallie demonstrated remarkable compassion and professionalism that made a meaningful and important difference in our experience during this challenging time. Throughout Izzy's stay, Kallie took the time to explain each step of the process to me and make it less scary for Izzy. Izzy was terrified anytime a provider other than Kallie came into her room. Although Kallie had to perform the same procedures on Izzy, the gentle and caring way in which she interacted with Izzy made all the difference. They became friends and Izzy does not become friends with new people easily. I truly don't know if Izzy would have cooperated for the procedures as well as she did without Kallie. Kallie's ability to connect with Izzy was evident from the moment we entered the room. Kallie had toys set up for Izzy, played with her and made her comfortable in a new and strange environment. Kallie used play therapy to distract and soothe Izzy during treatments, making what could have been a frightening experience much more manageable. For example, to scan Izzy's meds and bracelet, Kallie turned it into a game of "shopping at Target" which delighted little Isabelle. Additionally, Kallie was attentive to my needs, as Izzy's mother, providing not only medical information but also emotional support. Kallie knew our family was supposed to go on a family vacation with Izzy's grandparents the day after Izzy was admitted. This was tough, because as a family we made the decision to split up and send my husband and our son on the trip ahead of myself and Izzy. Kallie helped me to understand the treatment plan, so I could navigate and adapt to our situation. She was a great comfort and support system for me when Izzy took a turn for the worse, and I was enduring it alone. I truly appreciate her kindness and compassion. She also recognized that Izzy was missing out on the beach, so she turned her windows into a fun beach scene. Which made it a little less sad for Izzy and made her feel special. Her dedication went beyond the standard duties; she advocated for Isabelle to ensure she received the best possible care, coordinating with the medical team to monitor progress closely. All the while keeping me informed and helping to keep Isabelle entertained, calm and safe. It was clear that Kallie genuinely cared about Izzy's well-being, going above and beyond to provide a nurturing and healing environment. For these reasons, I wholeheartedly nominate Kallie Ritchie for the DAISY Award. Her outstanding nursing care has made a lasting impact on our family and embodies the spirit of compassion and excellence that this award represents.
4	Kara Baker	I am honored to nominate Kara Baker for The DAISY Award. From the moment my son, Clifford, was born at 24 weeks, weighing just over a pound, he faced an uphill battle for survival. Throughout his 10-month stay in the NICU, Kara was by our side, providing not only expert clinical care but also unwavering emotional support. She exemplifies every quality of an outstanding nurse; skillful, compassionate, and deeply invested in her patients and their families. Kara was more than just a nurse; she was Clifford's advocate, protector, and cheerleader. She anticipated his needs, adjusted his care to his ever-changing medical challenges, and celebrated even the smallest victories with us. When Clifford faced setbacks, she was there, reassuring us with her expertise and steady presence. She listened to our fears, answered our endless questions with patience, and never made us feel like just another family in the NICU. She truly became part of our family. Kara was there through Clifford's most life-threatening moments; the times when we weren't sure if he would make it through. She stood by him through countless infections, holding his tiny hand through every setback. She was there the day he needed emergency surgery in a makeshift OR right in the NICU, bringing a sense of calm and control to a terrifying moment. She cared for him before and after his tracheostomy and G-tube placement, ensuring he was as comfortable as possible and making sure we, as his parents, felt empowered and informed about his care. She fought for him through every complication and celebrated every milestone, no matter how small. There were moments of pure exhaustion and fear, but Kara's empathy never wavered. She held my hand during the hardest days and made sure I felt seen, not just as Clifford's mom, but as a grieving mother still carrying the loss of my daughter, Nellie. She understood that my heart was torn between two worlds and met me with kindness that went beyond her job description. Kara also formed a special bond with Clifford. Her care went beyond medical procedures; she talked to him, played music, and made sure he felt love in a place that often felt sterile and overwhelming. She advocated fiercely for him, ensuring he had the best possible care and a voice in every medical decision. When we finally took him home after 10 long months, it was bittersweet to leave behind the NICU family we had built. But thanks to Kara, we left feeling confident and prepared. Kara is not just an exceptional nurse; she is a lifesaver in every sense of the word. Her ability to blend skill with deep compassion makes her truly deserving of The DAISY Award. Our family will forever be grateful for the love, care, and dedication she gave to Clifford and to us.
5	Katelyn Pagel	Katelyn embodies what it means to be a compassionate, dedicated, and innovative caregiver. She consistently goes above and beyond for her patients, treating every individual with dignity and kindness, no matter how busy or demanding her day may be. What sets Katelyn apart is her unwavering commitment to patient care. Even in the most hectic moments, she never rushes—she takes the time to listen, to comfort, and to advocate for her patients’ needs. Her calm presence is often the reassurance her patients and their families need, and her thoughtful approach ensures that everyone feels heard and valued. Whether it’s finding new ways to improve patient care or simply offering a warm hand to hold, Katelyn leads with heart. She’s not just a nurse—she’s a lifeline, a listener, and a true example of excellence in nursing.
6	Lisa Petrangelo	I can't put into words how much Lisa has been our Angel throughout our son's time in the NICU of August of 2022. On the very first day our baby was born, Harrison was immediately sent in the critical part of the NICU and Lisa was there and was incredibly caring, loving and so supportive to my husband, myself and our baby boy. I remember being wheeled in my recovery bed 3 hours later into Harrison's NICU room post my emergency C-section and Lisa was there making sure I could touch my son's tiny hands for the first time and she took our first pictures with him. A moment I cherish so much looking back at those pictures. As the day went by, our baby's condition worsened but stabilized around 11pm. Which then I went to rest for about half an hour only to be awaken by Dr.'s that we had to go back as Harrison was not doing good at all. We got back to his room around midnight and we were just so heartbroken. His tiny room was filled up with so many Dr.'s, nurses and so many medical staffs members all working together to save our baby. During that time, we were told Harry didn't have long to live and to prepare ourselves. I was devastated and holding my tears. It didn't feel real and felt like I was in a bad dream. We had our precious baby baptized at 3am and as the Chaplain was reading Harrison's baptism, I cried like my heart was being ripped out and felt like I was about to fall on the floor from being so heartbroken, then I feel someone holding me so tight and it was Lisa. She held me at my lowest point and as heartbroken as I was, her touch brought me so much comfort. Words can't even describe it on how much her touch meant to me at that moment. No words spoken, she just let me cry and just held me. A memory that I so cherish. Whenever I think about Lisa, tears just comes because she was my Angel and my husband's in our darkest time. We felt incredibly safe with her and ultimately trusted her with our baby. She took care of our precious baby like it was her own. We loved that she always made sure to ask Dr.'s a couple times about medications before she gave it to our baby as a precaution. Throughout Harry's first week in the NICU, we felt at ease going to rest knowing Lisa would be his nurse. There was always excitement when Lisa was his nurse. We got to meet and know so amazing nurses as well throughout our precious baby's stay but Lisa truly made a huge impact on us. She deserves to have The Daisy Award and recognition for her work and dedication to taking care of these precious babies. It would mean the world to us if she could be honored with this award. With love, Vanessa Cody
7	Nancy Wylie	Nancy Wylie,RN has been nursing for 40 years and been thru thick & thin. She is getting ready to retire on her birthday in May 2026. At the U, She worked tirelessly thru the Covid crisis putting her own life at risk while taking care of others. It was such a difficult time, bring under staffed and under duress. So many nurses were quitting. She stuck it out and even agreed to take on the hardship shift of working overnights because they needed a strong senior level leader to run the Operating Room desk. She is a hard worker, humble & beloved by all of her co-workers. On top of all that, she is a rabid fan who LOVES the Lynx. 💚💙 I can’t think of a more deserving person to be honored. Thank you for this opportunity!
8	Omar Sulthan	I nominate Omar Sulthan for this honor. Omar’s journey through nursing is not just a career story. it’s a legacy of resilience, compassion, and unstoppable dedication. With over 36 years of nursing experience, Omar began his career as a flight nurse in his home country, fearlessly delivering critical care midair and working shoulder-to-shoulder with surgeons in the operating room. His skill, drive, and heart for people have always been at the core of his work. When he came to the United States through the visa lottery, Omar didn’t arrive with much—but he brought everything that mattered: work ethic, humility, and a deep commitment to care. He worked tirelessly—often multiple jobs—so he could provide for his six children, all while continuing to pour himself into his patients and profession. Fast forward to today, and Omar is the proud owner of a multi-million dollar nursing agency—a testament to his incredible perseverance and leadership. He now provides not just care, but opportunity, employing dozens of nurses and caregivers, many of whom come from backgrounds like his. His journey embodies the best of nursing: sacrifice, service, growth, and above all—heart. Omar doesn’t just care for others; he lifts them up. Whether he’s mentoring new nurses, advocating for clients, or innovating in his business, he leads with compassion and courage. Omar’s story is one of triumph, humility, and lifelong impact. He is not only deserving of this recognition—he is the reason recognitions like this exist.
9	Rasheeta Chandler	Rasheeta Chandler is not only an amazing nurse, she's a wonderful mother of 2 very smart and very active children. She's also my cousin someone that I look up to even though I'm quite a bit older. She and I have collaborated on several business ventures and I'm always amazed at how she can be sooo dedicated to not only her passion for her duties as a nurse and all that comes with it, but she does not cheat her children out of the time and attention they deserve and then she still finds time to commit to her community and other business ventures. To me she is the true definition of SUPERWOMAN and I'm so proud to call her my cousin and my business partner.
10	Sarah Moore	My wife, Sarah Moore, became an RN after I fell ill unexpectedly when she was pregnant with our first child. I breathed in a fungal spore from a broken pipe in the basement of our bar. I was in a coma when our daughter was born. Instead of giving up, Sarah went to school to become a medical assistant after we had to sell our bar. Since then she has worked full time and has been going to school working towards her RN. She graduated nursing school in 2019 and started working right away. She most recently graduated with her BSN in March of 2025 and started her masters program in healthcare administration, all while working full time and raising two children, being an amazing wife to me and the best stepmom to our 18 year old. She totally deserves this. Thank you.
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100