She was nominated for the award by a patient, who has health issues causing severe medical problems. The nomination reads:

“Angelica basically saved my life. After not being in the CCU for about a month, I woke up in the hospital connected to a lot of strange equipment. There was my Angelica, looking at me, helping me get through being in bed and dealing with everything that was connected to me. She talked about what had been going on with her. I felt safe and loved! She truly cared about me and my husband. I had trouble eating, but she was persistent and taught me to eat and swallow again. The best way we can thank her is for her to receive this award. Angelica is a true angel of nurses.”

Ewing was honored during a celebration with the patient, her family and team members. She received a certificate, pin and sculpture.

DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System. The DAISY Foundation was formed in January 2000 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at age 33 from complications of an auto-immune disease. His family wanted to say thank you to nurses everywhere by establishing a recognition program — The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses — to “honor the super-human work nurses do every day at the bedside.”

The DAISY Award is a merit-based award that honors clinical skill, leadership, strong patient care and compassion.