Nancy Gabrielson - DAISY Award
In 1973, a gifted musician chose a different kind of harmony: the rhythm of healing. Despite her family’s initial wishes for her to pursue music and education, Nancy Gabrielson followed a calling that began as a CMA and Nurse Tech at Iowa Methodist. After earning her nursing diploma, Nancy embarked on a 41-year clinical journey that spanned states and specialties—from the delicate world of Pediatrics at St. Joseph’s in Phoenix to the high-stakes environments of Surgery, ER, OB, and the Cardiac ICU.
As her career evolved, Nancy Gabrielson proved that a nurse’s perspective is vital at the highest levels of healthcare leadership. Whether serving as a School Nurse for seven years at Belmond-Klemme or leading as a Director of Nursing, she remained anchored by one unwavering principle: “It is always about taking care of people.”
Her transition into administration was marked by an extraordinary 12-year tenure as a Nursing Home Administrator, where she achieved the rare and prestigious feat of remaining deficiency-free for her entire term. Even as an executive, Nancy never forgot her clinical roots; she was frequently the one called upon by her community to flush a line or change a dressing in a neighbor’s home. She wasn't just an administrator; she was the community’s nurse.
Recruited as the CEO of Iowa Specialty Hospital-Belmond in 2010, Nancy navigated partnerships, rebranding, and complex renovations, including the landmark 2010 building project that transformed local care. Under her leadership, the hospital didn't just grow in square footage; it grew in its commitment to excellence.
Even in "retirement," Nancy’s service has not wavered. With 53 years in healthcare and counting, she continues to shape the future of medicine through her work on the Iowa Specialty Hospital-Belmond Board, the Hospital Foundation Board, and her recent 2024 Board Certification from the Iowa Hospital Association.
Perhaps Nancy's greatest achievement is the inspiration she has provided to the next generation. Her influence is most beautifully reflected in her own family. Of her 10 beloved grandchildren, four are currently in college pursuing healthcare careers in Nursing, Pharmacy, Respiratory Therapy, and Psychology. Nancy has taught them—and all of us—to "take the high road" and to understand that regardless of the title, the mission remains the same: the privilege of caring for others.
Nancy Gabrielson embodies the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award because she never saw nursing as a narrow path, but as a door to infinite possibilities. She led with a nurse’s heart, governed with a CEO’s wisdom, and continues to serve with a volunteer’s soul. We are honored to nominate her for this recognition of a lifetime well-lived in the service of Iowa's patients and families.
