Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital (APD), a member of Dartmouth Health, has honored Emily Ponaka, RN, BSN, AMB-BC, CFCS, with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses®.
The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate care nurses provide patients and families every day. Nurses may be nominated by patients, families, and colleagues for the award. The award recipient is selected by APD’s Professional Development Council.
Emily, a nurse in APD’s Surgical Specialties department, is known for her unwavering commitment to delivering expert, patient-centered care. She received multiple nominations from patients and colleagues, each one highlighting her clinical skill, deep compassion, and contagious enthusiasm.
One patient shared, “Emily took care of my ‘ugly, unwell, unfit’ toes with such compassion and care. She immediately identified the problem, constantly checked in with me, and aligned my once-sick feet. Because of her, I’m no longer in pain and feel encouraged to pursue walking again.”
Another described how she stepped in when the doctor’s schedule was full: “She rewrapped my leg, expedited radiology, and made sure I got the care I needed.”
Colleagues echoed the same admiration: “She always puts the patient first. She’ll adjust her own schedule to ensure patients can be seen—even staying late to accommodate their needs,” said one team member. Another added, “She’s a wealth of knowledge and an incredible support to the entire clinic team. She truly makes the day run smoothly—and she does it all with a smile.”
“Emily is the kind of nurse every patient hopes to have,” said John (JT) Thibodeau, Clinical Manager, Orthopedics, Surgical Specialties, Medical Infusion, and Occupational Health Services. “She brings professionalism, warmth, and an inspiring commitment to teamwork and patient care. She exemplifies what the DAISY Award is all about.”
The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes by members of his family. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little-known but not uncommon autoimmune disease. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.) The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.
"When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced first-hand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night. Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the super-human, extraordinary, compassionate work they do. The kind of work the nurses at APD are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award,” said Bonnie Barnes, FAAN, President and Co-Founder of The DAISY Foundation.
About Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital (APD)
Known for highly personalized and high-quality care, APD is the community hospital of the Upper Valley of Vermont and New Hampshire. Founded in 1932 and a member of Dartmouth Health since 2016, APD’s areas of clinical excellence include surgical services, primary care, geriatric care, sleep health, orthopaedics, and emergency services. The APD campus is also home to a senior living community with assisted and independent living facilities. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.