The Lee Park Foundation Announces Lotus Award Honoring — Often Unseen and Uncelebrated — Nurses and Clinical Care Staff
Four Nurses & Clinical Care Staff from Holy Name Medical Center to be Recognized
Teaneck, NJ — May 6, 2025 — The Lee Park Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of the Lotus Award for Nursing and Clinical Care, a prestigious honor established in memory of Dr. Jang Ho Lee, a revered healer, teacher, and practitioner of Buddhist doctrine. The award recognizes nurses and clinical care staff at Holy Name Medical Center who exemplify compassion, excellence, and selfless service in patient care.
The award ceremony took place in Teaneck, NJ, at Holy Name Medical Center, during the hospital’s National Nurses Week celebration on May 6, 2025, where the four recipients received the award.
Founded in 2023, the Lee Park Foundation was created by the family of Dr. Lee, who died at Holy Name following an aneurysm in October 2022. With a PhD in Asian medicine and speciality in herbal science and acupuncture, Dr. Lee dedicated his life to helping others. He guided many people through meditation and Buddhist teachings until the last days of his life.
In the final weeks of his life, Dr. Lee received exceptional care from the staff at Holy Name Medical Center. Moved by the profound kindness and humanity shown to their father, the Lee and Park families were inspired to honor this spirit of service through the creation of the Lotus Award.
In gratitude for their service -- and for the service of all those who help others out of the goodness of their hearts, often unseen and uncelebrated -- the Lotus Award aims to lift up shining examples of service to others and the community.
“We are incredibly honored to see our clinicians recognized for their compassion and care,” said Cathleen Davey, President of the Holy Name Foundation. “To be on the receiving end of such a meaningful tribute—one rooted in compassion, gratitude, and healing—is deeply humbling. We are proud to carry forward Dr. Lee’s legacy by celebrating those among us who live that same spirit every day.”
The Lotus Award, named after Dr. Lee’s favorite flower, which symbolizes beauty, resilience, and freedom from suffering, recognizes and celebrates hospital clinical care staff who display commitment to and passion for their patients and community. Nominations are submitted by patients and families. Winners receive a handcrafted Lotus pin and a $10,000 monetary gift.
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Patrick Purcell is recognized for his exceptional ability to combine clinical care with personal attentiveness and clear communication. Known for his dedication to patient advocacy, he ensures patients and their families feel heard, respected, and supported throughout their care journey. His calm demeanor and consistent follow-through during high-pressure situations set him apart as a healthcare professional who fosters trust and compassion in every interaction.
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Residential Care Associate
Donna Morgan-Stephen exemplifies the spirit of caregiving through her role as a Residential Care Associate in the palliative care unit. She brings a rare combination of clinical precision and heartfelt empathy to her work, focusing on patient dignity and comfort. Whether through meticulous bedside care or meaningful conversations with patients and families, she transforms clinical environments into spaces of peace, reflection, and humanity.
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Jennie DeCastro is celebrated for her outstanding professionalism, clarity in communication, and compassionate presence as a night-shift ICU nurse. Her ability to convey complex medical information in an accessible and calming way helps guide patients and their families through moments of uncertainty. Jennie provided a steady presence, thorough care, and emotional intelligence.
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Residential Care Associate
Audrey Ridwald brings grace, diligence, and warmth to her role as a Residential Care Associate at Villa Marie Claire. Her attention to detail, gentle approach, and consistent emotional support to patients and families make her a deeply trusted presence. Audrey approaches each day with humility and purpose, ensuring her patients experience comfort and dignity during their most vulnerable moments.
The Lee Park Foundation and Holy Name are honored to celebrate these extraordinary individuals and will continue to recognize selfless service and honor the legacy of Dr. Jang Ho Lee through the Lotus Award in years to come.
About Holy Name
Holy Name is New Jersey’s only independent Catholic health system, comprising a 361-bed acute care hospital, a renowned cancer center, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a residential hospice, a prestigious nursing school, and an extensive physician network. Healing at Holy Name goes beyond medicine and technology – it is infused with faith, conviction, compassion, and a commitment to educating the next generation of healthcare professionals through graduate medical education, a Pharmacy Residency Program, and our Institute for Simulation Learning. Our mission to provide care for the body, mind, and soul spans education, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and overall wellness. This is at the core of who we are and what we do, and we’ve done it this way across generations, every single day, for nearly 100 years. Every innovation, medical breakthrough, and groundbreaking treatment is powered by some of the best minds in medicine, ensuring nothing is left on the table or the road to recovery.
Lee Park Foundation
The Lee Park Foundation was founded in 2023 to recognize and support unsung heroes who go above and beyond in helping others. We aim to be the small stepping stones to help their journey and inspire others to follow their example. Our primary grant-making program is the Lotus Award. Learn more at www.lotusaward.org.
