Driscoll CICU Nurse Honored with Inaugural Liz Moore Legacy Award
Gracie Avila, CICU RN at Driscoll Children's Hospital, has been named the inaugural recipient of the Liz Moore Legacy of Nursing Endowment, an award created to recognize nurses who demonstrate exceptional compassion, leadership and dedication to patient care.
The award included a $2,000 gift presented to Avila in recognition of her years of service and impact on children and families at Driscoll.
Avila has cared for children and families at Driscoll for more than 28 years, serving in both the PICU and CICU. Colleagues describe her as a calm and trusted presence during some of the hospital’s most complex cases and a mentor to generations of nurses.
“Gracie is the kind of nurse every family hopes to have at the bedside of their child,” said Erica Gonzalez, Director of the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Driscoll Children’s Hospital. “Her compassion, experience and commitment to her patients and teammates reflect the very best of Driscoll.”
The endowment honors the legacy of Elizabeth “Liz” Moore, a longtime Driscoll nurse who retired after a 30-year nursing career, including 20 years at the hospital.
“She was strong, she was selfless, and deeply devoted to caring for others,” said Beth Owens, Moore’s daughter. “My mom loved Driscoll and considered her coworkers as family.”
Owens said the family’s experience with Driscoll’s NICU inspired them to establish the endowment in Moore’s memory.
“Our grandson spent nearly two months in the Driscoll NICU, and that experience gave our family even deeper reason to create this endowment in my mom’s honor,” Owens said. “We made this gift to thank the nurses at Driscoll for the compassionate care they give every day, and to keep our mother’s memory alive in a place that she loved so much.”
Avila thanked the Moore family for the honor and reflected on the impact Moore had on her career.
“Liz was a beautiful person and I loved her, and she taught me so much as well,” Avila said. “She’s in my heart always. Thank you again.”
The Liz Moore Legacy of Nursing Endowment was established through the generosity of Beth and Kelly Owens, and Grace and Chris Collins.