DAISY Award recognizes skilled, compassionate nurses for going beyond the call of duty
Seeking ways to reward its nurses for their everyday excellence—before the most amazing moments get away—the Johns Hopkins Hospital this year adopted the DAISY Award, an international recognition program that celebrates skillful, compassionate care.
The DAISY, which stands for Diseases Attacking the Immune System, was established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died in Seattle of an autoimmune disease in 1999. The Barnes family was struck by the skills and compassion of the nurses who cared for him in his final days.
Patients, family members, visitors, physicians, staff members, or volunteers nominate nurses by sharing a story of outstanding care. For example, Amy Stewart, RN, of the Cardiovascular Surgical ICU, was recognized in May for helping a gravely ill patient realize the dream of attending her daughter’s wedding in a lovely dress for the big day—making it happen at the hospital. Stewart rearranged her schedule to assist in preparations and helped decorate
the unit so that wedding photos would betray none of the seriousness of the patient’s diagnosis.
“It was inspiring to see people from all parts of the hospital come together to orchestrate a magical day,” says Stewart. “Together we were able to help her not just be a patient in the hospital, but the mother of the bride for the day.”
Each month, one Johns Hopkins Hospital nurse will be selected by a committee of peers and be recognized at a public ceremony, receive a DAISY Award certificate, lapel pin, and a stone sculpture titled A Healer’s Touch.
2019 Daisy Award Winners
February | Grace Babia, RN, Pediatric Surgery
Babia, the inaugural DAISY winner, was nominated by her nurse manager for support provided to a patient and his family who traveled from the Philippines for a life-changing surgery. She took the family under her wing during a two-month stay, providing companionship and expert nursing care as well as culturally appropriate food and warm winter clothes.
March | Nan Ding, RN, Urology/Thoracic Unit
Ding was nominated by a family—“three generations of us”—for his patient explanations on how to administer medications at home by both feeding tube and needle, and for his listening, caring, and upbeat personality.
April | Trent Cunningham, RN, OCN, Oncology
Cunningham was nominated by the family of a cancer patient for his compassionate end-of-life care: “What quickly became apparent, and what was ultimately so remarkable and special about Trent was the very tender humanity and the selfless dignity in his care for Dad.”
May | Amy Stewart, RN, Cardiovascular Surgical ICU
Her nurse manager nominated Stewart for helping a seriously ill patient be fully present for her daughter’s wedding day: “Amy’s greatest gift was allowing the patient, for a brief time, to simply be the mother of the bride.”
June | Willard Will, PhD, MSN, RN, Acute Care
A grateful patient told the story of Will going the extra mile—to a remote part of Gettysburg, PA in a rented car—to deliver medications (insulin, transplant antirejection pills, etc.) left behind after a hospital stay: “The fact that he made the attempt to help someone so far away and so remote shouts volumes about who he is.”
July | Erika Faass, RN, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
“Even though I was not physically ill, the compassion and patience that Ms. Erika has shown me, repeatedly, has made all the difference in my recovery. She has given me hope that maybe I can get better.” — Young patient
August | Sue Chun, RN, Adult Inpatient Psychiatry
Nominated by a patient who remembers Chun as “the kindest, most sincere individual. … Although I am glad to be off the unit, I am sad to be leaving the most supportive, caring nurse I have ever had.”
For questions about the DAISY Award or to nominate a nurse, contact daisyaward@jhmi.edu.
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