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Melanie Westman and Stefan Tompkins are two alumni from ����ֱ�� State University at Geauga who have been honored with the international DAISY Award in 2024 for providing extraordinary compassion along with their expert clinical care as nurses at University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center.

These nurses are under high-pressure conditions every day in the emergency room and intensive care unit. Even so, they have been recognized for going above and beyond the call of duty and making a transformational difference in their patients' lives... right here in the Geauga community.

Nominations for the DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Award are submitted by patients, family members, other nurses, physicians, clinicians, or staff who experience or observe remarkably compassionate care from nurses in their healthcare facility.

Melanie Westman BSN, RN CCRN, is an intensive care nurse at the local hospital in Chardon. As a March 2024 DAISY award winner, she was the first nurse at UH Geauga Medical Center to receive this distinguished award.

In part, her nominator shared, “Mel is the prime example of advocating for a Patient. The dedication she has for providing care is unmatchable. Mel works diligently to ensure that her patients are comfortable.”

For a hungry and thirsty patient on a Bi-Pap machine, “She provided oral care continuously, ensuring he was comfortable. She took the time to simply hold his hand and give him a hug. While this may not seem significant, it reminds me of the power of nursing and how nurses are capable of making a difference in the world. Despite her years in nursing, she thrives in the ICU. She continues to exemplify proper nursing care and also what it takes to be an extraordinary nurse.”

Raised in Bristolville, Melanie recalls, “I wanted to be a nurse because I grew up a sick child that was hospitalized frequently and the nurses were so kind and comforting to me. I wanted to help care for others in need.”

She chose to attend ����ֱ�� State Geauga because it was close to her home and work. “It was convenient, being a single mom, and I wanted to achieve my BSN in nursing and they fortunately had an accelerated BSN program.”

Before graduating in 2011, Melanie says that her most influential instructors at ����ֱ�� State Geauga were her critical care instructor, Lisa Huffman, and the late Dr. Thomas Cole, who taught anatomy and physiology.

While she has worked in the Geauga ICU for 10 years, Melanie is also cross-trained to work in the emergency department when needed. She was initially hired out of nursing school at another hospital in their intensive care unit.

At first, Melanie says, “I was terrified and would go home after my shifts and cry because I was so scared. Now with some experience under the belt, I have learned to stay calm and collected in order to provide the best patient care I can.”

Receiving the DAISY Award was a touching experience for Melanie. “I felt appreciated, humbled, and most of all, the award reminded me of my purpose, to help make a difference in people's lives.”

True to her calling, she offers a few words of encouragement to share: “My best advice to new nurses is, Teamwork makes that dream work!

“Teamwork provides for the best care, improves patient outcomes, and helps lessen the heavy loads for your coworkers who may be struggling. If you work in an area where teamwork is lacking, then lead by example!”

Stefan Tompkins, BSN, RN, is a nurse in the emergency department of University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center.

In September 2024, he was recognized with the DAISY award after being nominated by a patient who shared, “I was transported by squad to Geauga ER. I was very sick and getting sicker. I was greeted by Nurse Tompkins when I arrived. Stefan had this quiet, reassuring voice with which he spoke to me as they were quickly trying to evaluate what was going on with me. He explained everything to my family and me throughout.

“Many would say that this was nothing special, and that should be expected of an ER nurse. However, this Nurse goes above and beyond to care for his patients, that is quite clear… He made me feel that, despite being a full ER that day, that I was his only patient. There are people who reach out with the human touch at a time when someone is in great need. He offered that, along with comforting words and his talent as an ER Nurse.”

Stefan was born and raised in Burton and has now returned to live in his childhood home. He says, “I was inspired to pursue nursing as a career, mainly because of my mom's influence as a nurse for 42 years. Her last 28 were here at UH Geauga as a pre-op nurse, getting patients ready for surgery. I saw the kindness and compassion she gave each patient, comforting them, consoling fears about surgery, and putting them at ease.”

“I landed on a career in nursing because of her influential care and kindness, and my love to help others as well as work with my hands. I feel at home at the bedside, acting as an advocate and helping to make patients feel comfortable, safe, and cared for. I wholeheartedly believe this assignment in life is what the Lord has providentially given me and I want to faithfully act as His servant, giving not only quality and empathetic nursing care, but the deep love, grace, and kindness He has shown us all.”

After graduating from Berkshire High School in 2011, Stefan pursued his nursing degree at ����ֱ�� State Geauga, appreciating that “the total tuition was less than a year at some schools. Moreover, I knew it was a three years bachelor's degree so I could get into the profession a year earlier than most programs.”

Stefan especially appreciated the opportunity to sit under the instruction of the late Dr. Cole. “He was a no-nonsense, going-to-make-you-know-the-body-in-and-out kind of professor. I appreciated the experience to be taught and challenged so thoroughly. And I knew this was certainly foundational knowledge I would build my career on.”

Stefan graduated from the accelerated BSN program in August 2014 and took the NCLEX that October, passing as a licensed RN. Soon after, he started working at UH Geauga Medical Center’s 2 West as a tele/step-down floor nurse. He worked there two years before transferring to MetroHealth ER.

Stefan was then commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force, stationed at Langley AFB in Virginia for three years of active duty and then as a local travel nurse for a year. He returned to Ohio—and working at UH Geauga’s ER—in 2023.

Now, Stefan says, “It feels surreal working here most days, remembering visits to my mom in pre-op as a child, volunteering in high school here in the ER, and to now work here again, full-time. It is a full-circle dream come true.”

In response to receiving the DAISY Award, Stefan feels humbled and grateful. “I do not take lightly that someone would feel so strongly about the care and compassion they received, and that the board of peers reviewing the nominations would culminate in this recognition; even to be nominated is an honor a privilege, let alone chosen… I see it as a divine privilege to serve the local Geauga and surrounding communities. As being raised in this area and being so blessed by it, I strive to give back to the community that has given so much to me.”

Stefan adds, “To the students currently in the throes of grueling nursing school, anticipating the mental, spiritual, physical, and emotional demands being a nurse brings, I say, Keep your chin up, grinding out the tough assignments and long days. It all pays off and is worth it in the end.

“In the end, you want solid preparation for the NCLEX and nursing world, and I feel KSU Geauga does a great job of both!”