DAISY Award at Magnet Conference
The DAISY Foundation was established in 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes who died of complications of the auto-immune disease Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP) at the age of 33. (DAISY is an acronym for diseases attacking the immune system.) During Pat’s eight-week hospitalization, his family was awestruck by the care and compassion his nurses provided not only to Pat but to everyone in his family. So one of the goals they set in creating a Foundation in Pat’s memory was to recognize extraordinary nurses everywhere who make an enormous difference in the lives of so many people by the super-human work they do every day.
Barb Hartman stopped by the DAISY Award booth at the Magnet Conference to meet Patrick’s parents.
DAISY Award: Jessica D.
Jessica’s nomination read: “My 67-year-old mother was admitted through the ER on Saturday, August 28th. She was impatient for five days. As the daughter of the patient, it was tough not being around 24/7 to know what was going on. Will she be OK? What will test results say, etc? It’s very worrisome. This causes sleepless nights, stress, worry, fear, sadness, overall emotions. On Tuesday, my mom was scheduled for surgery. While prepping her for surgery, she went into AFib. The surgery was canceled. A heart monitor, EKG, and echo took place instead. All my worry, stress, fear, sadness went higher. When I left my mom to go home that night, I left her in God’s hands and JD’s. I had a sticky note full of questions and concerns. JD heard my concerns. She could hear it in my voice and see it on my face. She listened, she took notes, and she answered all my questions. When I hugged my mom goodbye (before leaving her with JD), first time in 3 nights, I relaxed. I knew JD was going to take care of my mom. That night I slept all night. When I asked my mom the next morning, she slept great too. JD was on top of everything. She didn’t have to wait to use the restroom. JD knew my mom’s heart results, checked her blood sugar, was on top of the IV bags beeping. She was on it! The care and treatment she gave my mom was outstanding! The peace of mind she gave me that night was exceptional. Sometimes the patient isn’t the nurse’s patient. Sometimes the families need comforting and peace of mind. JD showed us that. My mom’s surgery was a success! JD took excellent care of my mom. She also took excellent care of my mom’s family, just by listening, answering questions, and hearing what I had to say. JD was our angel. I will always appreciate you JD. Thank you so much To all the nurses on the 3rd floor: THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO! NURSES ARE THE BEST!”We are grateful to have Jessica caring for our patients and their families. #daisyaward
DAISY Award: Rochelle R
Congratulations to our newest DAISY Award Winner, Rochelle Ruff, an RN at Riverside’s Miller Rehabilitation Center in Kankakee. The DAISY Award is an honor that recognizes the exceptional, skillful, and compassionate care these nurses demonstrate for our patients and families every day.
Rochelle’s nomination noted: Mary, wife of Hospice patient, James. James gets agitated at times, and his wife informed her that singing old hymns to him will calm him down. Rochelle asked her what hymns he likes and told Mary she knows those and promised to sing to him. Mary states that nothing could have comforted her more than knowing Rochelle was willing to sing to her actively dying husband! While [the nominee was] coming to thank her after meeting with Mary, [the nominee] found Rochelle in James’s room singing to him.
We are grateful to have Rochelle caring for our patients and residents. #daisyaward
DAISY Award: Maria P.
Meet our newest DAISY award recipient, Maria Pappas. Maria is an Oncology Registered Nurse at Riverside Healthcare’s Frankfort Campus. The DAISY Award is an honor that recognizes the exceptional, skillful, and compassionate care these nurses demonstrate for our patients and families every day. Maria’s patient nomination noted, “Maria has been an important part of my life. … I could (not) have gone through chemo without her. I am eternally grateful for her compassionate care.“
If you have had or witnessed extraordinary nursing care and would like to nominate your Riverside Healthcare nurse, visit http://bit.ly/Riverside_Daisy
DAISY Award: Tina & Carly
March winner Tina Varvel
We have struggled with writing this note, but feel that a heartfelt thank you is in order. How does a family thank a person who held their loved ones hand as they took their last breath? Tina was my mothers nurse in ICU. We cannot express the gratitude, kindness and dedication that this beautiful nurse showed to our family, mother, grandmother, and for her vocation. With restrictions on visitors in the hospital during this pandemic, there has been a temendous burden placed on nurisng staff; with that said they handled the ICU death of our loved one with great communication, honesty, understanding and class.
April winner Carly Johnston
I have a sister that at first said she would watch my dog while I was in the hosptial. She watched him x2 days and told my son and older sister she was going to put him down. She casued me such stress, that I started to cry. My Morgan is my life, he keeps me calm and happy. He is the best frined I could ever have. Carley knew I was upset, she went above and beyond to help me. She contacted Socail Services to help me. She even offered to take hom in herself. That goes to sow you the love of her patients and her true love of pets. She is an amazing young woman, this hopsital is truly nlessed to have her. I honor her compassion. She made me feel better about my little dog. This world needs more Carleys. I cant say enough. Her kindness and compassion will stay with me always, and I’ll never forget her. Maybe there would be less violence and more love. Carley’s supervisor is a lucky man.
