Eight nurses from St. Charles Health System recently earned DAISY Awards for Extraordinary Nurses, recognizing the outstanding, compassionate nursing care they provide patients and families every day. The nurses, who represent all four St. Charles hospitals in Bend, Redmond, Madras and Prineville, were recognized with a ceremony on their respective units and presented with a certificate, a pin and a "healer's touch" sculpture by their hospital’s chief nursing officer.
The five direct-care nurses earning DAISY awards are:
Emily Cahoon, an Intermediate Care Unit nurse at St. Charles Bend, was recognized for providing exceptional care to a postpartum patient who was also recovering from a stroke. She was specifically recognized for assisting in finding a treatment plan that fit the patient’s specific needs as a new mom.
Acacia Knutzen, a nurse at St. Charles Redmond, was recognized for the compassionate and skilled care she provided to a patient in their final days and the comfort she offered to their family. She supported the family with empathy and understanding during a difficult time, while also providing exceptional medical care.
Melissa Levesque, a nurse at St. Charles Prineville, was recognized for her strong teamwork and dedication to supporting her fellow caregivers. She was also commended for being a mentor to her team, inspiring and empowering others to grow and succeed in their roles.
Jessica Thurman, a nurse at St. Charles Madras, was recognized for not only providing exceptional care but also for her thoughtful gesture of purchasing a floral bouquet and card, signed by fellow nurses, to celebrate a patient and their spouse on their wedding anniversary.
Jonathan Schneider, an infusion nurse at St. Charles Cancer Center in Bend, was recognized by a patient for “exemplifying the very best of nursing. His compassion, his humor and his ability to bring light into the lives of his patients make him an extraordinary caregiver. He doesn’t just treat illness — he treats the soul.”
The three nursing leaders earning DAISY awards are:
Erin Olsen, a nurse leader at St. Charles Redmond, was recognized by a fellow caregiver for “creating an environment where teamwork thrives, where challenges are met with solutions, and where successes — big or small — are celebrated. Her dedication, kindness and unwavering support make all the difference, and I couldn’t ask for a better leader.”
Jennifer Brooks, an ambulatory nurse leader at St. Charles Bend, was recognized for her exceptional leadership and consistent support of caregivers and patients. She received special praise for her role during the recent integration with St. Charles Center for Orthopedics and Neurosurgery, where she continues to provide hands on assistance and advocate for caregiver needs.
Taylor Jones, a nurse leader for Sage View and in-patient behavioral health, was recognized for her remarkable leadership and dedication to improving behavioral health care. Through her leadership she has improved patient outcomes and fostered a supportive and collaborative environment for her entire team.
About the DAISY Awards:
The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that was 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. This is one initiative of The DAISY Foundation to express gratitude to the nursing profession. Additionally, DAISY offers J. Patrick Barnes Grants for Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Projects, The DAISY Faculty Award to honor inspiring faculty members in schools and colleges of nursing and The DAISY in Training Award for nursing students. More information is available at http://DAISYfoundation.org.
