Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Lake Chelan Health honors four nurses with DAISY Award for excellence in patient care

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CHELAN — Lake Chelan Health (LCH) recognized four nurses with the prestigious DAISY Award, celebrating their exceptional contributions to patient care and community health.

The awards were presented by LCH CEO Aaron Edwards, Board Chair Jordana LaPorte, Board Member Mary Murphy, and hospital staff during a ceremony that highlighted each nurse's unique impact on patient care.

Throughout the past year, nomination forms were placed throughout the hospital, allowing patients, families, staff members, and community members to recommend nurses who demonstrated extraordinary care. A committee of nurses carefully evaluated each submission before selecting the four honorees.

Audrey Temes earned recognition for her distinctive approach to patient care, combining kindness with humor and an easy-going demeanor. A patient's family member wrote in their nomination, "Audrey made the stress of a situation dissipate with her kindness. She was compassionate and attentive to my husband's every need. We're so thankful to have met her and be in her caring hands!"

Carrie Bonner distinguished herself through exceptional teamwork and dedication beyond standard duties. Her commitment was highlighted in a patient account: "Carrie came to the rescue during a messy situation when everyone else scattered. Despite it being after hours, she donned full PPE and cleaned up the mess with no complaints." 

Kim Ramella demonstrated remarkable compassion during a particularly challenging situation involving a newborn's emergency transport. According to a colleague's nomination, "Kim wheeled the mother down the hall to watch her baby take off and stayed by her side, offering comfort during a heartbreaking moment."

Linzy Stone was honored for transforming patient care through her work with the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program. Following her certification, Stone developed comprehensive protocols, established crucial partnerships with law enforcement, and successfully secured grants for aftercare packages containing essential items for patients.

Each honoree received a specially designed Healer's Touch Sculpture, hand-carved from serpentine stone by Shona artists in Zimbabwe, along with a commemorative pin and certificate. The sculptures symbolize the unique bond between nurses and their patients.

The DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Award is an international  recognition program that honors and celebrates the skillful, compassionate care nurses  provide every day. The DAISY Foundation was established by the family of J. Patrick  Barnes after he died from complications of the auto-immune disease ITP in 1999.  During his hospitalization, they deeply appreciated the care and compassion shown to  Patrick and his entire family. When he died, they felt compelled to say "thank you" to  nurses in a very public way.

Cinnamon rolls are presented to the unit of the recipient because when Pat was ill, he  had lost his appetite until one morning when he asked for a cinnamon roll. He was able  to eat the whole thing and asked his family to bring back more cinnamon rolls for the  nurses. DAISY hopes that whenever you smell or taste a cinnamon roll or bake with  cinnamon you will let the cinnamon aroma be a sensory trigger reminding you of the  positive difference nurses make in a patient's and/or their family's life. 

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