 The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, Calif.,
and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick
Barnes, who died at age 33 in late 1999 from complications of
idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, or ITP, a little-known but not
uncommon autoimmune disease. The care he 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 patients' families.Twice annually, an ALMH nurse
will be selected by their peers to receive The DAISY Award. The
honoree will be presented with a certificate commending her or him
for being 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." The
honoree will also be given a sculpture called "A Healer's Touch,"
hand-carved by artists of the Shona tribe in Africa.
One day while Barnes was in the hospital, he asked his family to
bring him a Cinnabon cinnamon roll plus enough for all the nurses in
his unit. With the help of Cinnabon's parent company, FOCUS Brands,
The DAISY Foundation carries on this tradition by serving Cinnabons
to all the nurses in the award recipient's unit in thanks for
everything they do for their patients and families.
Bonnie Barnes, president and co-founder of The DAISY Foundation,
said: "When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced
firsthand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients
every day and night. Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized
for the superhuman work they do. The kind of work the nurses at ALMH
are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY
Award."
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Jeanne Dennis, ALMH director of nursing, said: "We are proud
to be among the hospitals participating in The DAISY Award
program. Nurses are heroes every day. Given the current national
nursing shortage, The DAISY Award could not be launched at a
better time. It's important that our nurses know their work is
highly valued, and The DAISY Foundation provides a way for us to
do that."
For a complete
listing of hospitals currently participating in the program, go
to http://daisyfoundation.org/.
This is one initiative of The DAISY Foundation, whose overall
goal is to help fight diseases of the immune system. Additionally,
the foundation offers grants for nursing research and evidence-based
practice projects and provides assistance to ITP support groups.
More information is available on their website,
http://daisyfoundation.org/.
Individuals who are interested in nominating a nurse at Abraham
Lincoln Memorial Hospital for The Daisy Award can find the
nomination form by visiting
www.almh.org and clicking on the Daisy Award graphic or by
contacting the acute care nurse manager, Michelle Green, at
217-605-5303.
Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, at 200 Stahlhut Drive, is a
25-bed critical-access hospital affiliated with Memorial Health
System.
[Text from file received from
Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital]
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