Cassie Anderson Is SPCH 2026 DAISY Nurse May 22, 2026 Nursing has been described as “compassion in action.” When combined with clinical expertise, thoughtful problem-solving and a calm, steady presence, the result is an exceptional nurse — like Cassie Anderson, recipient of Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital’s 2026 DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. Anderson has worked for Samaritan for 12 years, the last four in the Newport hospital’s Intensive Care Unit. She was honored during a recent ceremony hosted by Jennifer Kimberlain, vice president of Patient Care Services. At the presentation, Kimberlain explained the significance of the DAISY Award. “When a nurse receives the DAISY Award, the humble response is, ‘I didn’t do anything special. I was just doing my job.’ What the DAISY Nurse may not realize, however, is that when nurses are ‘just doing their jobs,’ they have such an important and meaningful impact on the lives of so many,” Kimberlain said. “You are making the world a better place because you are a nurse, and we and The DAISY Foundation both salute you and honor you.” The DAISY nomination for Anderson was submitted by a patient’s family. It stated: “My sister was admitted with a massive stroke and spent several days in the ICU. Cassie was her nurse for four of those days. Her compassion and experience with hospice were exactly what my sister and the family needed. Cassie took extra time to do much more for all of us than just perform the tasks every nurse is trained to do. She took a genuine interest in all of us. When she learned that my sister liked herbal medicine and the natural world, Cassie told her the digoxin being given was from foxglove. Cassie’s caregiving was exemplary!” About the Recipient “I’m honored to receive such a kind and special award – and I was definitely surprised,” Anderson said after the event. Anderson’s husband Josh and son Wesley were invited to attend the presentation, which made the moment even more special for her. During her Samaritan career, Anderson has worked in home health and hospice while based at Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital; and in the Acute Care Unit, Quality Improvement and the ICU at Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital. Some may also know her from her family’s Hawaiian food truck in Lincoln City called Lei Aloha Hawaiian BBQ. About The Daisy Foundation The DAISY Foundation was established by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at age 33 from an autoimmune disease. DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System. The foundation’s mission is to express gratitude and recognize nurses for the extraordinary compassion and skillful care they provide patients and families. To learn more, visit daisyfoundation.org. To nominate a Samaritan nurse, go to samhealth.org/DAISY.
