Mercy Circle Nurse Sandra Ramirez, LPN, Wins Trinity Health Senior Communities' First 2026 DAISY Award

Sandra Ramirez (center, holding flowers) is flanked by family members Giana and Zarai Brown, Alicia Ramirez, Layla Brown, Jeremy Brown, and Sister Mary DePaul Palaszek, who nominated Sandra for the DAISY Award

During each quarter of the year, Trinity Health Senior Communities (THSC,) invites residents, family members, and colleagues to nominate nurses for The DAISY Award: an international program designed to recognize nurses who serve with extraordinary expertise and compassion. Based on the nominations submitted, a THSC DAISY Award committee selects a winner from across all its communities in eight states.  In February 2026, Mercy Circle, an Independent, Assisted Living, and Memory Care Community located in Chicago, IL, celebrated its winner, Licensed Practical Nurse Sandra Ramirez. 

Mercy Circle resident Mary DePaul Palaszek, RSM, nominated Sandra because of her “extraordinary compassion,” “competence,” and willingness to exceed expectations for those in her care.  Sandra was surprised with the DAISY Award at a celebration on February 4 at Mercy Circle.  THSC’s Chief Operating Officer Dr. Stacey Johnson and Regional Vice President joined Mercy Circle Executive Director Frances Lachowicz, 19^th Ward Alderman Matt O’Shea, Mercy Circle staff members, residents, Board members, and Sandra’s family members in honoring their recipient. 

“DAISY” is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.  The DAISY Foundation was established in 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at age 33 from complications of an autoimmune disease. In his honor, the Foundation created the Award for Extraordinary Nurses.  THSC presented its first DAISY Award in 2023 and also has done so at Saint Mary Home (CT,) The Alverno (IA,) St. Joseph of the Pines (NC,) and Fraser Villa (MI.)  This is the second time a Mercy Circle Nurse has received the DAISY Award.