Arizona Diamondbacks Nurse Night: Nurse Threw First Pitch
⚾️About Arizona Diamondbacks Nurse Appreciation Night
- Date & Time: Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 6:40 PM MDT
- Location: Chase Field, 401 E Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
- Teams: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. New York Mets
On May 6, 2025, the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrated nurses with a Nurse Appreciation Theme Night for their game against the New York Mets. As the D-backs faced the Mets, several nurses took to the field for a spectacular evening of celebration and baseball. Among the nurses recognized, one honoree threw the first pitch, another acted as an honorary team captain, and yet another sang the national anthem to a packed stadium. Read on to learn more about this exciting event and our nurse winners!
Nurses on the Mound: Meet the Nurse Honorees
As part of our celebration, five outstanding nurses received amazing on-field experiences!
- First Pitch (1 Winner): Selected via an online vote, one nurse had the honor of throwing the ceremonial first pitch.
- Honorary Captain (1 Winner): The first runner-up joined a D-backs coach to deliver the official lineup card during the umpires’ meeting.
- Pre-Game Recognition (3 Winners): Three runner-ups from the first pitch contest were recognized on the field during pregame ceremonies.
Learn more about the Arizona Diamondbacks' nurse appreciation night honorees:
First Pitch Winner, Kerrie Burkett
Kerrie Burkett is an Emergency Department Registered Nurse at Banner Del E. Webb Hospital. She recently received the Daisy Award for outstanding care in the ER. She has also received the Daisy Award while working at Banner-University Medical Center. At the age of 34, Kerrie has seen and accomplished much in her profession. Kerrie is the Chair of the Shared Leadership Committee in the ER. Kerrie is a preceptor in her department for new service members and recent nursing graduates. Kerrie is also a mother of 2, a wife, and a baseball team mom for her son's team. Kerrie is a diehard Diamondbacks lifelong fan, and her favorite season is baseball season!
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Honorary Captain, Kylie DeBeau
Kylie DeBeau is a hardworking nurse, Swiftie, and fervent baseball fan. Kylie has been a nurse for over 7 years and worked in the hospital on the COVID floor for two of those years. She even traveled across the country to work on a COVID unit in North Carolina. As the first runner-up in this competition, DeBeau was named honorary co-captain for this evening's game. She joined a D-backs captain to deliver the official lineup card during the umpires' meeting.
Honoree, Kate (Catherine) Meyers
My mom, Kate Meyers, has worked in Labor and Delivery for as long as I can remember. She started working as a nurse post grad working cardio thoracic heart and lung transplant, I remember her telling us about one of her favorite moments in the role when she flew on a Lear jet to get a donor heart for her primary patient that had been waiting many months in the hospital for a new heart. Her hard work and dedication to patient care didn’t stop there. In 2000, she traveled as a nurse for Labor and Delivery in Arizona, California, and Wisconsin.
I always used to ask her why she chose Arizona for us to live, and she chose it from her experience travel nursing here, so she has been working at Chandler Regional Medical Center ever since 2002, in the Labor and Delivery unit! Growing up, we always used to visit her on holidays when she had to work, and she sacrificed the time she could have spent with us during those times to care for other moms who were going to bring their little ones into the world. My sister and I have so many pictures throughout the years of us building gingerbread houses during Christmas time in the cafeteria of the hospital, and she would come down to say hi if it was a day she was on shift.
She is so dedicated to her patients and her job, always putting their needs before ever thinking of her own. Her most favorite moments as a labor and delivery nurse have been helping her friends bring their first babies into the world, and watching them grow up and have those babies become parents themselves! Kate, my mom, works night shifts at the hospital, fueling herself on the well-being of her patients, and of course a bit of caffeine.
My mom is the hardest working person I know, she never fails to turn down an extra shift if she has the time, and ultimately loves her job more than anything. Being a nurse was truly made for her, and now that I’m 20, I can go visit her at the hospital to bring her the extra pick me up espresso for a long shift, when I used to waddle in there to bring her flowers on Mother’s Day with my dad when she was working. It’s so rewarding to see her flourish in her profession and love what she does.
She graduated from the University of Wisconsin School of Nursing in 1995, and this year will be her 30th anniversary of being a nurse. I would love nothing more (and I’m sure she would too) than to celebrate her and her accomplishments in her career by watching her throw the first pitch!
Honoree, Kisha Zaragoza
Kisha, an amazing nurse, deserves this nomination. Her dedication shines through in countless ways, like when she patiently comforted a terrified patient before his procedure, turning his anxiety into relief with her empathy. Or consider the time her keen eye caught subtle changes in a post-operative patient's vitals, leading to swift intervention and preventing a serious issue. Kisha doesn't just treat patients; she truly cares for them. She's also a fantastic support to her colleagues.
For her exceptional compassion, to say Kisha is an amazing nurse is an understatement. She is, quite simply, extraordinary.
Consider the story of one patient who faced his medical procedure with overwhelming anxiety. Kisha didn't just explain things; she radiated such genuine compassion and understanding that she transformed his fear into a sense of calm and confidence. That's not just nursing; that's pure human connection at its finest.
Then there's the instance where her almost intuitive clinical insight saved a post-operative patient from a potentially serious complication. While others might have missed the subtle early warning signs, Kisha's sharp mind and unwavering vigilance immediately caught them, leading to swift and effective intervention. This isn't just a skill; it's a level of dedication and expertise that's truly exceptional.
Kisha doesn't just perform her duties; she elevates the entire standard of care. She possesses an unwavering dedication to her patients, a profound empathy that allows her to connect with them on a deeply human level, and a clinical acumen that is truly remarkable. She's a beacon of hope for her patients and an inspiration to her fellow nurses. Kisha isn't just amazing; she is a force for good in the lives of everyone she touches. Her commitment to nursing is nothing short of phenomenal. With sharp clinical skills, Kisha is truly outstanding.
Honoree, Daniel Amaya, FNP
Daniel has been an exceptionally proactive healthcare professional for many years, beginning his journey as a CNA, advancing to an RN, and now proudly serving as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). He provides comprehensive care both in a clinic and within a prison setting, demonstrating his dedication to diverse healthcare environments. Throughout his career, Daniel has worked tirelessly to earn his degree, driven by a deep commitment to give back to the community where he was raised. His passion for serving others and improving access to healthcare is a testament to his personal and professional values.
The winners received two game tickets, a pair of Clove shoes, Fabletics scrubs, a prize bundle from Nuwest, and other prizes! For voting, attending, or supporting these nurses and the nurses in your life, we thank you for taking part in the celebration.
>> Read about all the finalists here!
Pitch Perfect: Nurse Winner Sings National Anthem
As part of the Diamondbacks Nurse Appreciation Night, one talented nurse vocalist was selected to sing the national anthem. Also, the two runners-up lined up on the warning track during the anthem. In addition to these honors, the winners also received two game tickets, a pair of Clove shoes, Fabletics scrubs, a prize bundle from Nuwest, and other prizes!
National Anthem Winner: Elizabeth Saucedo
The contest winner, Elizabeth Saucedo, wasn't afraid to strike the perfect pitch as she delivered the national anthem with grace and poise to the crowd. "The smile says it all," she wrote on Instagram, "A moment of happiness and bliss being able to perform again."
Anthem Warning Track Winners: Kelly Arthur and Christine Wetzel
The first two runners-up from the national anthem contest were nurses Kelly Arthur and Christine Wetzel. In addition to their amazing prize package, they also got to line up on the warning track during the anthem.
Diamondbacks Appreciation Night T-Shirts
As part of this grand slam of appreciation, Mel's Crafty Corner was thrilled to offer nurse baseball-themed t-shirts! These thoughtfully crafted, adorable tees were an excellent way for Diamondbacks fans to support nurses in style!
2024 Event Recap
The Arizona Diamondbacks and Nurse.org teamed up for a special night dedicated to nurses and other healthcare workers where they could experience the game in ultimate comfort, thanks to the state-of-the-art retractable roof and air conditioning. Fans got to beat the summer heat and enjoy a cool, refreshing evening cheering on their favorite team and healthcare champs.
During this thrilling matchup, we spotlight FOUR remarkable nurses who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. They took center stage on the field, receiving recognition during the pregame ceremony. One nurse threw the first pitch, and another nurse sang the National Anthem!
Nurses Honored
FOUR nurses were honored on the field during the pregame ceremony. The nurse with the most votes got to throw the first pitch! All four nurses received 2 game tickets, Clove shoes and a prize bundle from Nuwest!
Here is the nurse who got to throw the first pitch who was chosen by an online vote:
First Pitch Winner, Hanna Caldwell: Hanna Caldwell is a nurse at Banner Desert. She works in the ER. She began as a nurse during COVID. She is compassionate, knowledgeable, and skilled! She has encouraged her fellow nurses during these trying years through nursing school and later on as the put their skills they have learned! Hanna encouraged her sister to join this profession and just recently attended her pinning ceremony!
Here are the other three nurses recognized who were chosen by an online vote:
Cecilia Zepeda: I am nominating my sister, Cecilia Zepeda to be one of the nurses who throws the first pitch. Aside from being a Dbacks fan, Cecilia is San Luis High School nurse in San Luis, Az. She is very passionate for her work and is committed to offering her school community not only with the best care, but also with compassion and empathy. She is a true example of what it means to love what you do. She is committed to excellence and takes her work very seriously. She connects with the students and gets to know them individually to meet any of their medical needs, especially for chronic cases. She obtained her CNA certification while still attending San Luis HS herself and continued her education to become a registered nurse. She worked at Yuma Regional Medical Center for a few years, but decided she wanted to give back to her community and the school which helped her reach her goals, hence the reason she moved to San Luis HS as their nurse. Cecilia is a true role model for those around her!
Thomas Ballan-Duran: Hailing from Texas, Thomas's journey has taken him from the front lines of the Army, where he served as a Combat Medic in Afghanistan, to his current role as Nurse Manager of Outpatient Mental Health at the Phoenix VA. Along the way, he has faced challenges, embraced personal growth, and become a source of inspiration for many. https://www.va.gov/phoenix-health-care/stories/from-combat-medic-to-nurse-manager-thomas-ballan-durans-inspiring-journey-of-resilience-and-compassion/
Bernadine “Bernie” Huff: I have never known a more beloved nurse and friend than Bernie Huff. I’m not skilled enough to send you social media links or stories but I can tell you about her many accomplishments. We met working as hospice nurses. Bernie was always assigned the most medically challenging patients and VIP’s because of her skill sets and abilities to best represent the company. Her hours, mileage and weekends on duty were longer than anyone else but she never complained. Patients always come first. She got a scholarship from hospice and earned her Masters then PhD and now is teaching a nursing program created to address the nursing shortage in Az at GCU -BSN to RN program. She continues to work with hospice as her weekends allow to repay her scholarship commitment. She often works tirelessly 6-7 days a week. The last time she got to have a day off, she took her spouse to a DBacks game for his birthday. She loves watching her favorite Az sports teams. In fact, last time we got a chance to talk on the phone, she was multitasking grading homework and had the Dbacks game on in the background. Bernie rarely takes time off for herself but when she gets an opportunity, I cannot think of anyone more deserving of being recognized than her. I know her hospice families, colleagues and students would be thrilled if she was chosen. Thank you so much for your time.
Nurse Sang The National Anthem
Olivia Smith, the nurse singer with the most votes, had the honor of singing the National Anthem on the field. She also received 2 game tickets, Clove shoes, and a prize bundle from NuWest!
Awards and Prizes:
- The 4 nurses with the most votes were honored on the field during the pregame ceremony!
- The 4 nurse winners each received 2 game tickets, courtesy of Nurse.org, a pair of Clove shoes, and a prize bundle from NuWest!
