Stephanie Welch, LPN, Urology, has been named as a DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses winner at the SSM Health Fond du Lac Regional Clinic. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® is part of The DAISY Foundation’s mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care they provide patients and families every day. The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes by members of his family. 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. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.) 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. The award recipient is chosen based on specific criteria to receive The DAISY Award.
Here is Welch’s nomination:
“Stephanie contacted me regarding a patient. She was concerned that the patient was not going to be able to find his car. She said he was more confused than usual. Stephanie came to me to ask what she should do as I was covering for the department. She was really worried the patient did not know where his car was. I told Stephanie that we should get security to help. Stephanie stayed with the patient and walked outside with him. He was able to describe his car, but she was unable to find it. Security then scanned the parking lot and went to his home to see if the car was there. Stephanie tried calling his son but got no answer. She was unable to leave a voice message either. She then remembered where his son worked. Unfortunately, they did not have his son’s name on file. Stephanie then tried the third time to contact the son. This time he answered, she explained everything to him, and he came immediately to assist us. I saw such compassion from Stephanie toward this patient. She said she has cared for this man for several years and sadly had seen him decline little more each time she saw him. She went above and beyond and took responsibility to make sure he got home safely. Great work Stephanie!”
Welch was recognized on January 19 during a brief ceremony. She received a certificate commending 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 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,” according to 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 Fond du Lac Regional Clinic are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award.” More information is available at http://DAISYfoundation.org.
