DAISY Award Winner Praised for Humility Positive Attitude and Being a Team Player

Cheers to our peers

“He is one of the most humble, caring team players.”

“He’s always pleasant and happy, which makes shift change go smoothly.”

“He never questions his assignment and just goes with the flow. He is a great asset to the inpatient unit.”

“He treats his patients and colleagues with great respect.”

“He’s more than just a coworker and friend. He is like family.”

These words of praise barely begin to describe the impact that Edwin Koh, RN, has made to the patients and staff at Shriners Hospitals for Children — Honolulu. A registered nurse with the inpatient services department at the Honolulu Shriners Hospital, Edwin started his health care career in the medical-surgical unit. His passion for medicine, however, began as a boy in the Philippines, where Edwin said he and his family came from very humble means. “I always wanted to contribute to helping my family by studying hard and working in the medical field," Edwin said. "This would give a better opportunity and future to what my life was like back home.”

An opportunity to work at the Honolulu Shriners Hospital arose in 2015, and Edwin knew he couldn’t pass up the chance to broaden his knowledge of specialized pediatric orthopaedic care. “I thought that working at Shriners Hospitals for Children would be a new and fresh experience to learn from," Edwin said, "but I’ve come to learn that this hospital is like an extension to my family – working with other children and their families has helped me learn more.”

Over the past five years, Edwin has found that his favorite part of the job is providing bedside care. Edwin said, “I like being able to focus on a specific patient’s needs and get a better understanding of the patient and their well-being.”

He shared that one of his most memorable experiences happened when he needed to connect one-to-one with a patient who was having challenges remaining calm after surgery," said Edwin. “During my shifts, the patient remained calm and stopped acting out. The family showed me their appreciation, and I felt glad I was able to make that much of a meaningful contribution.”

Edwin’s ability to deliver above-board patient care earned him The DAISY Award®, a recognition bestowed upon a deserving nurse for delivering extraordinary compassionate care. “His strong, caring and humble qualities are all positive attributes that make him a wonderful nurse on the inpatient unit,” said Edwin’s supervisor, inpatient services manager Paulette Nakamatsu, BSN, RN.

Nominations for The DAISY Award (which stands for Diseases Attacking the Immune SYstem) come from anyone in the organization – patients, family members, fellow nurses or other hospital staff – who are encouraged to share their favorite memory or interaction with the individual. “I read all the DAISY Award nominations that were written by his peers," Paulette said, "and the common thread that is mentioned is that he is a great team player.”

Among his other outstanding qualities are Edwin’s knack for always showing others kindness and compassion, no matter the circumstances. “He is quiet, humble and very respectful of his patients, their parents and his peers. He always efficiently gets his job done,” Paulette said. “He never grumbles or complains about his assignments, and is always willing to help his coworkers. Sometimes he is assigned to the most challenging patients, but he always remains positive and respectful to all who work with him.”

A man of few words, Edwin shared that receiving The DAISY Award was acknowledgement “that people have come together to agree that I’m a good example to nurses, from the hours of hard effort I put into my work to the care and compassion for my patients.”

“This shows that no one’s hard work will get unnoticed," Edwin added, "and we should all strive to put in as much effort we have to deliver in our jobs.”

“His strong, caring and humble qualities are all positive attributes that make him a wonderful nurse on the inpatient unit,” Paulette said. “His patient always comes first, and he always remains positive. He is an inspiration to all.”