Andy Close
WARREN, Pa. – Jennifer Larson, RN, was named the 15th winner of Warren General Hospital’s DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse on July 28.
The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s program to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day.
Larson was nominated by a patient, Wayne Anderson, for going above and beyond.
“I had a procedure done on May 16th and Jennifer was the nurse who did all the prep work,” Anderson wrote. “I have panic attacks in stressful situations, which to me, this was. I can honestly say she is the best nurse I have had in all the various facilities I have been in around the country. Jennifer took her time, explained everything she was going to do before she did it, and continually checked on me to ensure I was comfortable and doing okay. She kept me engaged which took my mind off the upcoming procedure.
“I came through with no issues, and more importantly, no panic attacks. Even though this was a short period of time, she made a wonderful impression on me as to the caliber of nurses at WGH. She is by far the standard by which others are measured.”
The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family. Barnes died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Puerperal (ITP), a little-known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.) 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.
Nurses may be nominated by patients, families, and colleagues. The award recipient is chosen by a committee at Warren General Hospital to receive The DAISY Award. Awards are presented throughout the year at celebrations attended by the Honoree’s colleagues, patients, and visitors. Each Honoree receives a certificate commending her or him 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 and meaningful sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe.
“When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced first-hand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night,” said Bonnie Barnes, FAAN, President and Co-Founder of The DAISY Foundation. “Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the super-human, extraordinary, compassionate work they do. The kind of work the nurses at Warren General Hospital are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award.”
Said Chief Nursing Officer Joe Akif, “We are proud to be among the healthcare organizations participating in The DAISY Award program. 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.”
In addition to the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, the Foundation expresses gratitude to the nursing profession internationally in over 3,900 healthcare facilities and schools of nursing with recognition of direct care Nurses, Nurse-led Teams, Nurse Leaders, Nursing Faculty, Nursing Students, through the J. Patrick Barnes Grants for Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Projects and nurses participating in medical missions. More information is available at http://DAISYfoundation.org
