The following nurses are recent recipients of The DAISY Award which recognizes the extraordinary, compassionate and skillful care given by nurses every day:
"Nurses are ordinary people who do extraordinary things. Emily is no exception. After a particularly uncomfortable few nights in the hospital, my patient and I were talking about how her friend hadn’t shown up to cut the patient’s hair. Countless time I have seen Emily cut patients’ hair (during her busy work night and on her personal time). After finishing in my patient’s room, I immediately texted Emily, knowing she would lend a hand. Sure thing! Just as promised, Emily was up to the floor bright and early on her day off. She worked her magic and left the floor without saying much. When I returned to my patient’s room, her face was glowing with the brightest smile, something I had not seen her do since she first arrived. The patient felt so good, she put her make-up on, even while dressed in a hospital gown. The patient expressed such gratitude towards what Emily had done."
"Thank you so much for taking time from your personal life to give to someone else."
Nominated by Jessica Stanfield, RN
"Emily came in on her day off to give a patient undergoing chemotherapy a haircut. The patient had been feeling uncomfortable with her long hair and really needed a change. Emily is always willing to help patients and do something extra for them. So, Emily gave this patient a very cute, shorter haircut. When the patient was then ready to shave her head weeks later, Emily helped the patient again."
"And on the patient’s wedding anniversary, Emily and a few other nurses made her a delicious pasta dinner so the patient could enjoy a romantic date with her husband while hospitalized for cancer treatment. Emily is an amazing nurse, never batting an eyelash at a request from a patient that will make their stay easier."
Nominated by Natalie Erickson, RN
"Emily is always willing to go the extra mile to help our patients and staff. When a chemo patient started losing her hair, Emily came in on her day off to cut her hair shorter. When the patient later decided she was ready to shave it all off, Emily volunteered to bring in hair clippers and help shave her head. When a long-term patient had been here for more than a month, and it was discovered that she would have to still be here for her anniversary, Emily spearheaded a surprise celebration with a few others nurses and the patient’s spouse. She again came in on her day off to decorate and prepare a special meal for the patient and patient’s spouse."
"Emily is always willing to lend a hand; to give a med if I’m running behind; to help me turn, boost, get patients to the bathroom and help clean them up. Even though she has her own responsibilities, she is always willing to help others. She also always is ready with a smile and uplifting words."
Nominated by Memorie Urbina, RN
Amber Cannell, RN
" Though all the nurses involved with my wife's recent stay were excellent, Amber's attention and professionalism were well beyond any we have experienced! It seemed she couldn't do enough to make our stay as pleasant and successful as possible. She treated us as if were family and in a short time we would have welcomed her into ours!
After pulling a 25 shift, she was there the next morning as fresh and thoughtful and concerned for our welfare as the day before! As the visitor/care giver for my wife, Amber made every effort to make me as welcome and comfortable as possible! I fell very privileged to have a local hospital with staff as outstanding as Amber and will certainly let friends and relatives know of the excellent medical and personal services that are available at Beechwood Memorial!”
Nominated by patient’s spouse – Dennis Wagner
MaKayla Linford Paulson, RN
"MaKayla was our Father’s (Larry) nurse for 2 night and 3 consecutive days following his quadruple bypass. It’s extremely difficult to identify a specific situation because MaKayla was consistently outgoing, compassionate, kind and professional!
"Our father was particularly challenging because he is mostly deaf and he is stubborn, particularly in these circumstances, as he has never been hospitalized. Throughout her time as our father’s nurse, MaKayla always had a smile on her face, an empathetic demeanor and she always took the time to communicate with our father despite his disability. She did all of this while still maintaining and providing professional care for our father.
”Additionally, she took care of us (family), always checking with us to see if she could get us anything or answer questions, etc. All of our father’s nurses provided outstanding professional care and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Beechwood Memorial for cardiac care to friends and family.
" That said, MaKayla’s nursing care went above and beyond the call of duty and for that we are nominating her for the DAISY Award. Thank you for your consideration.”
Nominated by patient’s family - Aaron Otteman and the Otteman Family
“I am 25 years old and came in at 7am for a loop implant monitor because I've had some heart trouble lately.
“My nurse was Mary. She was real friendly, cheerful and caring right off the bat. She made me feel like a star. She joked with me, gave me heated blankets, and talked to me. I could tell she was a true professional. She was attentive and competent.
“Mary had no trouble putting in an IV, something I usually dread because I have uncooperative veins.
“The surgery was delayed from 2:30am to 22:30am because the doctor, Dr. Lasseter, was up operating all night. Mary told my wife and I that she was sorry and brought my wife juice and some ice chips for me. It made the time pass quicker.
“I've noticed the Beechwood Memorial nurses are all quite good, but I think Mary is exceptional and deserves the DAISY award because she is compassionate and loves her patients.”
Nominated by patient Lloyd J. Willden
“Rhett makes a difference every single day. His concern for each patient is genuine, and he will go the extra mile to make every patient feel like they are the only one on the unit.
“Rhett never complains and when asked how he is doing, his response of “never better” is real!
“His infectious smile and attitude makes even the sickest patient feel better.
“Rhett is a dedicated, loyal employee who is the most compassionate nurse that gives the same loving care to the ear infection baby or the patient who is critically injured.
“Rhett makes everyone’s day better and make’s everyone’s day NEVER BETTER!”
Nominated by Carmen Radford, Korri Smith, Rodney Grgich, Matt Reeves, and Natalie Nelson.
"There are so many nurses at Beechwood Memorial who make a difference that I hate to highlight one over the other. But there is one nurse, Valerie Chessin, who has gone above and beyond to impact not only individuals but entire community health!
"Val has worked with patients to control their diabetes with not only medication but also through diet and exercise. It is not easy to help make lifestyle changes and can be very discouraging. Yet, she continues to have an impact! Diabetes Education has a 95% patient satisfaction.
"Val went above and beyond this last year when she applied for and received a grant from the CDC to teach cooking classes to the community. “Eat Better, Live Better” has been a HUGE success with overflowing classes and waiting lists. Val came upon many obstacles and naysayers, but she passionately continued to teach people how to cook healthy food in order to manage disease. Much of her time is donated above her 'day job.'
"Prevention and controlling disease isn’t very glamourous or exciting, but it has been shown to reduce diabetes, heart disease, and even cancer by 20-30%. Val has helped many!"
Nominated by colleague Rolonda Bjornson
Dr. Aaron Gardner and Jennifer Bush, RN
"Jennifer knows that excellence is in the details. She works incredibly hard to find and influence the seemingly "little things" that mean so much to patients, families and staff.
"As an example, late one evening while preparing for a direct admission to the PICU, it was noted that it was the pediatric patient's birthday. With lightning speed, Jen quickly retrieved supplies from her secret stash and had the patient's room completely decorated and gifts sitting on the bed before she arrived. This was an age-appropriate, gender-specific, remarkably personal production!!
"When the family, who had been through a tumultuous day, walked in the room with their sick child, they wept- knowing their child would receive the same careful attention clinically as she would emotionally.
"Jennifer blesses her fellow staff members with the same attention, whether it's repairing the broken equipment, decorating the unit, cleaning the fridge, or flavoring the ice. Her days are filled with hundreds of seemingly small acts that make life better for everyone.
"She's absolutely amazing!"
Nominated by Beechwood Memorial physician, Dr. Aaron Gardner
"Lisa is always going out of her way to be helpful to her co-workers and her patients. She goes the extra mile with all of her patients. One recent example was with a Rehab patient who had been in a car accident that totaled the vehicle. The car was the patient’s home, and she did not have family available to help or means to purchase clothes. On her day off, Lisa brought in two sets of clothes so that this patient could participate in her rehab ADL routine and fit in with the other patients dressed in street clothes. These clothes were given to the patient for when she went home.
"She has been on multiple shopping trips in the past to help patients who either did not have the means or the capability to provide for themselves. Another thing I have seen Lisa do is to help patients who are not close to home and when a spouse had to fly out to be with them. Lisa provided rides for the family member, took them shopping, and took them for meals. She is currently helping a coworker by making meals to help them cope with their situation.
"Any time there is a problem, she is the first one to help. She is a daily example of I am Beechwood Memorial values."
Nominated by Beechwood Memorial colleague, Matt Green, OTR/L
"Lisa consistently goes above and beyond what is expected of her. Her compassion and caring knows no bounds. When patients have needs outside the hospital, Lisa will find a way to help. She has provided patients with clothing and even transportation of family members when needed. She is the epitome of I am Beechwood Memorial."
Nominated by Beechwood Memorial colleague, Crystal Arave, Speech Therapy