Nurses at Baxter Regional 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. 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 they are chosen by a committee at BRMC to receive The DAISY Award. Awards are given throughout the year at presentations given in front of the nurse’s colleagues, physicians, patients, and visitors. Each honoree will receive 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 beautiful and meaningful sculpture called The Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa.

According to Bonnie Barnes, FAAN, 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 BRMC 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 BRMC VP/Chief Nursing Officer Shannon Nachtigal, MSN, RN. "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."

For more information about nursing recognition at BRMC, visit https://www.baxterregional.org/about-brmc/nursing/recognition/.