City of Hope Cancer Center Chicago emergency nurse honored with DAISY Award

City of Hope Cancer Center Chicago, emergency department nurse Gwen McDermott, BSN, RN, has been recognized with the prestigious DAISY Award, an honor celebrating nurses who provide exceptional clinical care and compassion to patients and families.

McDermott received the award following a heartfelt nomination from a cancer patient who traveled from Laredo, Texas, to Chicago for treatment and found himself in the emergency department after experiencing complications following surgery.

In the nomination, the patient described feeling anxious, uncomfortable and far from home while facing an already challenging cancer journey. He credited McDermott with easing his fears through her professionalism, empathy and unwavering support.

McDermott, who lives in Lindenhurst and grew up in Lake Bluff, has worked in health care since 2008 and became a registered nurse in 2020. Inspired in part by her mother, a longtime emergency room nurse, she says caring for patients during some of life's most difficult moments is what drew her to the profession.

“I remember this patient being very nervous after experiencing an unexpected reaction following several procedures,” McDermott said. “In the emergency department, especially at an oncology hospital, patients and families are often facing uncertainty and fear. Our role is not only to provide medical care, but also education, reassurance and compassion to help ease their anxiety.”

McDermott says the award is especially meaningful at a time when nurses across the country continue to face significant challenges, including staffing shortages, burnout and increasing demands on the profession. Emergency department nurses often work in high pressure environments while caring for patients during some of the most challenging moments of their lives.

Over six years in emergency nursing, McDermott has cared for patients experiencing some of the most difficult days of their lives. She says one lesson she hopes resonates with the community is the importance of compassion.

“Life can be unpredictable,” she said. “Hold your family and friends close, show care and compassion to those around you, and give grace to the people who serve on the front lines every day.”