The DAISY Award Program for Extraordinary Nurses
Alaska Regional Hospital participates in the DAISY Award Program, an international program that rewards and celebrates the extraordinary clinical skill and compassionate care given by nurses every day. We are proud to be a DAISY Award Partner and recognize our nurses with this special honor every quarter.
The DAISY Foundation was established in 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes who died of complications of the auto-immune disease Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP) at the age of 33. (DAISY is an acronym for diseases attacking the immune system.)
During Pat’s eight-week hospitalization, his family was impressed by the care and compassion his nurses provided, not only to Pat but to his family. So, one of the goals they set in creating a foundation in Pat’s memory was to recognize extraordinary nurses everywhere who make an enormous difference in the lives of so many people.
To be eligible, a nurse must exhibit three or more of the following traits:
- Outstanding service
- Commitment to excellence
- Exceptional patient and family educator
- Patient advocate
- Positive attitude
- Extraordinary clinical skills
- Champion team player
- Excellent assessment and decision-making skills
- Accomplished mentor/preceptor
Each DAISY Award Honoree will be recognized at a ceremony in her/his unit and will receive a Certificate, a DAISY Award pin, and a hand-carved stone sculpture entitled “A Healer’s Touch.” Additionally, everyone in the unit will celebrate with Cinnabon® cinnamon rolls, a favorite of Patrick’s during his illness. The Barnes Family asks that whenever and wherever nurses smell that wonderful cinnamon aroma, they stop for a moment and think about how special they are.
How to nominate an extraordinary nurse
Patients, visitors, nurses, physicians and employees are welcome to nominate an Alaska Regional Hospital nurse for The DAISY Award.
This nurse should embody many of the core values at Alaska Regional Hospital in the following ways: Value and treat everyone like family, and fiercely uphold a commitment to quality, patient safety, honesty, integrity and ethics. This nurse also exhibits highly valued qualities and attributes such as professionalism, flexibility and proactive leadership, enthusiasm and energy, and patient advocacy. Overall, this nurse provides a vision of hope and affects change.
Nominations received by the 15th of the month will be considered for the following quarterly DAISY Award.
