Daisy Santos walks alongside two San Diego Padres ball crew members at Petco Park. The registered nurse was selected for Health Care Home Runs, a program that recognizes UC San Diego Health employees who leave a lasting mark on patients, families and colleagues. Photo credit: UC San Diego Health
It was a warm day at Petco Park when Daisy Santos stood on the field with her husband and two adult children by her side. She'd practiced at home, but wasn't sure if it'd be enough. Santos just didn't want to embarrass herself in front of a stadium full of strangers and loved ones. Her colleagues from UC San Diego Health were also there to cheer her on.
Daisy Santos holds the honorary first pitch baseball during the pregame ceremony at Petco Park. Photo credit: UC San Diego Health
When the time came, she walked onto the infield with a big smile, waved to the crowd, and threw the ceremonial first pitch like she'd been playing baseball for years. Santos is a registered nurse with senior behavioral health at UC San Diego Health. She was honored to participate in Health Care Home Runs, a program that recognizes employees who leave a lasting mark on patients, families and colleagues.
"Why me? That was my first question," Santos said, thinking back to when she found out she'd been selected. "I'm so thankful and really appreciated that they chose me. It's an experience of a lifetime."
Her colleagues never asked that question for a moment. Beyond her clinical nursing duties, Santos is known for helping patients regain dignity and confidence through small acts of personal care.
Called to Care
Santos' path to nursing began in the Philippines. She grew up near a hospital, and every day she'd watch nurses in their crisp uniforms walk to work.
"I was fascinated with the white uniform," she said. "I would tell myself, 'one day I'm going to be wearing that.'"
Daisy Santos snuggles with a volunteer therapy dog at work.
Years later, Santos immigrated to the United States and worked as a caregiver while studying for her nursing license. Her first patient was a woman living with dementia. Santos provided weekend respite care, giving the family time to rest and recharge. Santos bathed her patient and did her makeup. The family offered her a full-time job but she turned it down to finish her license.
After becoming a licensed nurse, Santos worked in a subacute unit, caring for patients who no longer needed intensive hospital care but weren't yet well enough to go home. Years later, she was ready for a new challenge and she decided to go into behavioral health after her sister suggested it. The specialty combined her passion for caring for older adults with the opportunity to build deeper connections with patients.
"Taking care of older people has always been something I have a passion for and a heart for," Santos said. She credits that calling in part to the cultural values around caring for elders that she grew up with in the Philippines. Her own mother lived with her until she passed at age 95.
Daisy Santo's family joins her on the field at Petco Park during the Padres pregame ceremony. Photo credit: UC San Diego Health
The 'Spa Queen' who Treats Patients Like Royalty
At UC San Diego Health, Santos handles the full scope of nursing care on the unit. But her colleagues know her for something else, too. They call her the "spa queen" because she often provides haircuts, nail care, and other grooming that gives her patients more than just a fresh look.
It started with one patient, a woman whose hair had grown long enough to cover her face. "I asked if she wanted a haircut," Santos said.
That haircut turned out well, and word got around the unit and more haircuts soon followed. Her coworkers would ask if her "salon" was open, especially for patients with dementia who arrive to the unit with matted hair, long nails or a beard that hides their face.
“One patient was so changed after a haircut and a shave that staff didn’t recognize him the next day.”
— Omar Ghosn, MD
Daisy Santos poses with her colleagues at UC San Diego Health. They lovingly refer to her as the "spa queen" for the acts of kindness she provides to patients in their unit.
"Although outside her scope of work, Daisy spends extra time grooming disheveled patients, helping them with warm showers, cutting their nails and hair," said Omar Ghosn, MD, one of the attending psychiatrists on the inpatient unit. "One patient was so changed after a haircut and a shave that staff didn't recognize him the next day."
"They always remembered her name, even the ones with dementia."
— Ten Mendoza
Colleagues report that the trust Santos builds during these "spa treatments" often have a positive impact on healing and treatment. "We have seen patients whose faces brighten and seem less agitated after Daisy cares for them or trims their hair," said Ellen Lee, MD.
"Patients were admitted to us mute and withdrawn," said Ten Mendoza, a fellow nurse who has worked with Santos for more than a decade. "Given a day with Daisy, they'll be walking, smiling, asking for food or meds, making eye contact. They always remembered her name, even the ones with dementia." Some have asked to keep in touch with her after they're discharged to get another haircut.
"The relationships built through grooming really do help with patient care," Santos said. "Sometimes a patient refuses medication from everyone else, but agrees to try it for me."
Daisy Santos and her colleagues take a group selfie. The favorite part of her job is the people she works with. She says the doctors, nurses, managers and assistant managers are all very supportive of each other. "Even on the busiest days, we laugh together."
The Next Chapter
Although Santos loves her patients and the work she does, her favorite part of her job is the people she works with.
"It's the camaraderie," she said. "The doctors, nurses, managers, assistant managers. They're all very supportive of each other. Even on the busiest days, we laugh together."
Santos is planning to retire later this year, after 15 years at UC San Diego Health and about 40 years as a nurse. She and her husband, retired after 25 years in the Navy, are looking forward to this next phase of their lives. They want to travel.
"Let's go while we still can," she told her husband.
Health Care Home Runs
UC San Diego Health partners with the Padres to recognize employees whose work makes exceptional care possible every day. Each honoree is celebrated with a VIP experience at Petco Park as a way of saying thank you to the people who show up to serve this community.
Major League Care for the Whole Family
As the Official Health Care Provider of the San Diego Padres, UC San Diego Health brings the same expert care it provides to professional athletes to families across San Diego.
Senior Behavioral Health Program
Senior Behavioral Health Program
