Three nurses at CentraState Medical Center have recently been honored with The DAISY Award (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) for Extraordinary Nurses by The DAISY Foundation. The award recognizes the extraordinary, compassionate care nurses provide patients and their families every day.
The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family. 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. 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 for the award by anyone, including patients, families, and colleagues, and are chosen by a committee at CentraState.
CentraState nurses recognized with The DAISY Award included Laurie Jaffe, BA, BSN, RN, CCRN; Mary Aguilar, BS, BSN, RN-BC; and Felicis Janice Pascua, RN, BSN. All three nurses cared for a patient who had cancer surgery at CentraState.
An excerpt from their nomination stated: “We are so grateful for these talented and compassionate professionals. They applied knowledge and communication skills to help people move forward, providing the confidence and the support needed to manage pain and encourage people to heal. They all exemplify one true basic element of humanity, compassionately caring for people when they cannot help themselves.”
Jaffe, Aguilar and Pascua each received a certificate commending them as an “Extraordinary Nurse.” They also received a DAISY Award pin and a meaningful sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe.
“We are proud to be among the health care organizations participating in The Daisy Award program,” said Linda Geisler, vice president, Patient Services, CentraState Healthcare System. “Our nurses are some of the most compassionate, selfless and dedicated unsung heroes in the industry, and The Daisy Foundation provides a way for us to pay them homage.”
