At more than 5,900 health care facilities and schools around the world, including many here in Colorado, outstanding nurses are recognized regularly with a DAISY Award for going above and beyond to provide patients with compassionate care.
This international program is a way for patients, their families and even colleagues to officially thank nurses for making a difference.
The DAISY Award and the DAISY Foundation were founded by Mark and Bonnie Barnes and their daughter-in-law, Tena Barnes, after they witnessed and received extraordinary care from nurses amid the final days of their son's life. They created the program in memory of their son and husband, J. Patrick Barnes, who fell ill in late 1999 with the autoimmune disease Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).
Since then, more than 95,000 nurses have been recognized with a DAISY award.
Recently, Mark and Bonnie stopped by UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital in Longmont to personally meet some of the Colorado nurses who have received this award over the years and to meet and help recognize the newest DAISY award honorees.
During their visit to Longmont, Allison Meyers, a nurse in the intensive care unit at Longs Peak Hospital, was nominated for a DAISY Award by a patient’s family.
“One thing that really stood out for me is how she recognized that my mom is hard of hearing and couldn't have her hearing aids in. Every time she spoke to Mom, Allison would lean over her bed and talk close to her ear. This small act made a world of difference. When mom was getting an epidural for her pain, Allison was by her side the whole time holding her hand, comforting her, and wanting to learn more from the anesthesiologist,” the family wrote in its nomination. “Allison is friendly, kind and compassionate. She really knows her job and does it so well.”
The Barneses also helped present Longs Peak Hospital’s first ever Nurse Leader DAISY Award. Alissa Shelton, a house supervisor at the hospital, was nominated by a colleague.
“She always is available to help anyone and everywhere she’s needed,” the nominator noted. “Alissa is a true leader in the best sense of the word. She is fair with everyone and always takes time to hear you out and actually address your concerns. I think Alissa is an extraordinary nurse, and I’m blessed to be part of a team supported by her.”
