Nurses at Newton Medical Center are being honored with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s program to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day.
The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, CA, and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. DAISY is an acronym for disease attacking the immune system. The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.
Nurses may be nominated by patients, families and colleagues, and are chosen by a committee of nurses at Newton Medical Center to receive the DAISY Award. Awards are given monthly at presentations in the nurse’s department. Each honoree will receive a certificate commending her or him for being an “Extraordinary Nurse,” a DAISY Pin and a sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa.
In addition, the honoree will receive Cinnabon® cinnamon rolls for their whole unit to enjoy. While hospitalized, Patrick asked his family to bring him a Cinnabon cinnamon roll plus enough for all the nurses in the unit to show his appreciation. Patrick’s family asks that whenever and wherever nurses smell that wonderful cinnamon aroma, they stop for a moment and think about how special they are.
“When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced first-hand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night. Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the super-human work they do,” said Bonnie Barnes, FAAN, president and co-founder of the DAISY Foundation. “The kind of work the nurses at Newton Medical Center are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of the DAISY Award.”
“We are proud to be among the healthcare organizations participating in the DAISY Award program,” said Kristi Jackson, MSN, RN, associate chief nursing officer, Newton Medical Center. “Nurses are heroes every day. It’s important that our nurses know their work is highly valued, and the DAISY Foundation provides a way for us to do that.”
The first awardee will be announced later this month. Nomination forms are available throughout the hospital or online at www.newtonmed.com.
About Newton Medical Center
Newton Medical Center is a 103-bed hospital in Newton, Kan., providing comprehensive medical care to those in Harvey and surrounding counties. Services and specialties include emergency medicine, surgical services, occupational medicine, home health and more. The hospital, which also includes 12 primary care and specialty clinics, is conveniently located at the intersection of I-135 and Highway 50. For more information, call 316-283-2700 or visit newtonmed.com.
