Lutheran Health Network Recognizes Remarkable Nurses with DAISY Award

11/9/2020

The DAISY Foundation™ is a not-for-profit organization established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes by members of his family. In late 1999, Patrick died at the age of 33 from complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon autoimmune disease. The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique way of thanking those professionals for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and their families.

Patients, families, and colleagues are able to nominate nurses from any LHN hospital, urgent care clinic, or Lutheran Health Physicians office for The DAISY Award. Recipients of this honor receive an “Extraordinary Nurse” commendation, a DAISY Award pin, and a hand-carved sculpture, “A Healer’s Touch,” created by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe.

Here are the stories of our most recent DAISY Award recipients:

Laura Herring, R.N.
Administrative Nursing Supervisor
Kosciusko Community Hospital
Warsaw, Indiana

A patient submitted information about a caring moment with Laura Herring, RN, at Kosciusko Community Hospital: "I came through your ER and I was not happy after being admitted. The IV I came up with from the ER was blown and I am a difficult IV patient; so, after two other nurses looked, Laura the night supervisor came in with such positivity about getting my IV. As she worked on getting my IV, we discussed the events I had been through throughout the day on my first trip ever to this hospital. Not only did she get my IV in, but she also got me a tray of food when I had been told it was impossible after 6 p.m. She also got me sugar-free beverages. She contacted the doctor to get me pain medication and basic orders like diet, meds, and tests that needed to be done. If it wasn't for her stepping up and listening to what I had to say and acting, I would have been ticked off, hungry, and in pain for who knows how long. She checked in on me in the middle of the night and continued to check on me the remainder of the night just to make sure that I wasn't in pain. She even stood in when the doctor came to make sure that I was heard. Your house supervisor took a horrible and painful situation and did everything that she could to make me comfortable and to make me not regret coming here. I know that I am probably not the only person that she has done this for."

Laura Hipsher, R.N.
Emergency Department
Dukes Memorial Hospital
Peru, Indiana

Laura took care of a patient who was homeless and did not have many possessions. He came to the ED riding his bicycle but was very ill. The patient's shoes and socks were so worn you could hardly tell what they were anymore. Laura went out that night and bought new shoes for the patient bringing them in the next day on her day off. The nurse on Med/Surg caring for the patient noticed a sack with a brand new pair of shoes for the patient. When she showed the patient, he was so excited and it lifted his spirits. The Med/Surg nurse found out that Laura had placed them in his room during the day while the patient was sleeping. The Med/Surg nurse nominated Laura because she went above and beyond for this patient in anonymity and made a positive impact on this patient's life! The patient was so happy! Laura's compassion did not stop there. The patient was transferred to another facility so Dukes made arrangements to keep his bicycle safe in the EMS garage. Laura followed up and learned that the patient was able to find a place to live in another town. Laura made arrangements to deliver his bicycle to him. He was overjoyed to have his prized possession back.

Lisa Kahn, R.N.
OR/PACU Department
Bluffton Regional Medical Center
Bluffton, Indiana

LA patient of Lisa Kahn, RN, writes: "Lisa started my IV. She had it in and taped before I knew it. She did explain everything before she did it and got extra warm blankets and always had time to listen. She was wonderful. She has a very good voice. Can always hear and understand her and always felt safe with her. Caring and wonderful."

For more information about this award, or to share a story of gratitude about your nurse, please visit: https://www.lutheranhealth.net/daisy-award-nominations.

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