SVMC nurses and technician honored for exceptional patient care

BENNINGTON, VT—August 8, 2024—Three Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) nurses and an emergency department technician were honored recently for going above and beyond for patient care.

Caraline Sprague, RN, Olivia Sandquist, RN and Laurie Darby, RN were each presented with DAISY Awards this summer. The DAISY Award is an international recognition program honoring clinical excellence and outstanding compassionate care provided by nurses. Ryan Rogge, a technician in the Kendall Emergency Department at SVMC, was recently honored with the hospital’s internal PETAL Award, given to staff who go above and beyond in their work.

Each recipient was nominated for these honors by patients or colleagues.

Olivia Sandquist, RN, the Dartmouth Cancer Center at SVMC

Sandquist was recognized by a patient’s spouse, who spoke to the compassion and expertise shown by the cancer center nurse during treatment. The nominator explained that Sandquist gave support outside of the cancer center as well, when the patient was rushed to another area of the hospital.

“This nurse walked into the room with a blanket and the biggest smile to see my wife,” the nominator wrote. “She gave my wife the blanket and spoke to her for several minutes as a friend, not as a nurse.”

Caraline Sprague, RN, SVMC Medical-Surgical unit

Sprague was recognized for working to identify and monitor a very ill patient. She worked closely with a physician team after noticing something was not right.

“It was this candidate’s excellent nursing assessment and skill that led the full assessment and work up of this patient who was then transferred to the ICU and then subsequently flown to a tertiary care center,” the nominator wrote.

“I am always in awe of this individual’s multifaceted talent as a Registered Nurse.”

Laurie Darby, RN, Kendall Emergency Department

Darby, assistant nursing director of the emergency department (ED), was recognized by a 90 year-old patient who began feeling weak after an appointment, as a result of not having eaten in the last several hours.

Darby noticed the patient sitting outside the ED and came to check on her, then brought her some food. Darby sat with her until she felt better.

“This nurse was my "guardian angel" and I learned from our conversation that she worked at SVMC for many years, and when said I was concerned that I was taking her away from her duties, she said "But that’s what I’m here for, to help people," her nominator wrote.

Ryan Rogge, ED Technician

Rogge was hailed by his nominator as “always dependable, pleasant, and trustworthy. He always has a smile on his face and is adored by staff and patients”

They also noted a particular incident where a patient had to be airlifted to another facility and needed a helmet for medical transport.

“This ED tech went and got his old Mt. Anthony lacrosse helmet and donated it to us to use,” the nominator wrote. “We placed it on the patient and they were able to be transferred. It was a very selfless act and helped to save the patient's life.”

Photo Caption: Pictured Left to right: Laurie Darby, RN, Caraline Sprague, RN, Ryan Rogge and Olivia Sandquist, RN.

Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), a member of Dartmouth Health, is a comprehensive, preeminent, health care system providing exceptional, convenient, and affordable care to the communities of Bennington and Windham Counties of Vermont, eastern Rensselaer and Washington Counties of New York, and northern Berkshire County in Massachusetts. SVMC includes the Dartmouth Cancer Center at SVMC, the SVHC Foundation, as well as 25 primary and specialty care practices. Southwestern Vermont Medical Center is among the most lauded small rural health systems in the nation. It is the recipient of the American Hospital Association’s 2020 Rural Hospital Leadership Award. In addition, SVMC is a five-time recipient of the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet® recognition for nursing excellence. SVMC provides exceptional care without discriminating on the basis of an individual’s age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. Language assistance services, free of charge, are available at 1-800-367-9559.

SVMC Contact: Kathryn.Czaplinski@svhealthcare.org