Nurses at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center are now being honored under a new recognition program the hospital is implementing in conjunction with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.

The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses has been adopted by health care facilities around the world to celebrate nurses for their extraordinary care and compassion. Patients, their families, and hospital staff members can nominate a nurse for the compassionate care they were provided with or witnessed.

“CRMC is proud to be among the health care organizations participating in the DAISY Award program. Nurses are true heroes every day,” said Stacy Weldon, CRMC’s Chief Nursing Officer. “It’s important that our nurses know that they are appreciated and that their work is highly valued. The DAISY Foundation provides a way for us to do that.”

The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in California and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Barnes died at the age of 33 in 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. The care Barnes 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.

Said Bonnie Barnes, President and Co-Founder of The DAISY Foundation, “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. The kind of work the nurses at CRMC are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award.”

Nurses receiving the award are chosen by a committee at CRMC. Awards are presented throughout the year at celebrations attended by the Honoree’s colleagues, patients, and visitors. Each Honoree receives a certificate commending him or her as an “Extraordinary Nurse.” The certificate reads: “In deep appreciation of all you do, who you are, and the incredibly meaningful difference you make in the lives of so many people.” Honorees also receive a DAISY Award pin and a beautiful, meaningful sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe.

For more information or to submit a nomination, visit https://cuyunamed.org/patient-information/daisy-award. Nomination forms and collection boxes are also available throughout CRMC’s campus.

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