The DAISY Award® was established in 1999 in memory of J. Patrick Barnes of Seattle, Washington, who passed away after an 8-week hospitalization. His family was moved by the extraordinary clinical care provided to Patrick, as well as the compassion and kindness shown to his loved ones during their darkest hours. To honor Patrick and turn their grief into something positive, his family started a non-profit organization and created the DAISY Award® for Extraordinary Nurses. The acronym DAISY stands for Diseases Attacking the Immune System; Patrick suffered from the autoimmune disease ITP or Immune Thrombocytopenia.
The DAISY Foundation expresses gratitude to Nurses with programs that recognize them for the extraordinary compassionate, skillful care they provide patients and families. By honoring compassionate nurses, DAISY reinforces the importance of compassion in healthcare. Hospitals must apply to the DAISY Foundation and be approved to become a DAISY partner. Any licensed registered nurse, nursing faculty or nursing student is eligible to be nominated for a DAISY Award®.
“Theresa is known for her incredible compassion for patients but also for her willingness to help educate staff so that they may grow in their skillset and gain confidence in their job duties. She is beloved by her staff and is seen as role model and mentor, and very deserving as the first recipient of the DAISY Award® at Manistee Hospital,” said Kelly Tomaszewski, Community President Munson Manistee Hospital.
DAISY Award® celebrations are held to honor the award recipient. Recipients receive a certificate from the DAISY Foundation, a hand-carved Healer’s Touch sculpture, an Honoree pin, a copy of the nomination and cinnamon rolls to share with their colleagues – Patrick’s favorite! The DAISY Award® banner is hung in the award recipient’s department until the next DAISY Award® is presented.
“Presenting a DAISY Award® to one of our nurses at Munson Healthcare is always a tremendous honor and met with such emotion and delight. Theresa is the epitome of nursing excellence and compassion, and her award is well-deserved,” said Bonnie Kruszka, DNP, FNP-BC, ENP-BC, RN, Chief Advanced Practice Provider and Chief Nursing Officer, Munson Healthcare Provider Network.
For more information on the DAISY Award®, the DAISY Foundation, or to nominate a nurse for an award, visit www.daisyfoundation.org.