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New Recognition Program: National DAISY Foundation

New Recognition Program: National DAISY Foundation Image

MIDDLEBURY— The UVM Health Network- Porter Medical Center announced this week the establishment of a new recognition program to honor Porter nurses for outstanding patient care in collaboration with the national DAISY Foundation.

The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, CA, and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes.  DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.  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.  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.  According to PMC Chief Nursing Officer Karen Beinhaur, the “DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses” has been adopted by healthcare facilities around the world to celebrate nurses for their extraordinary care and compassion.  “Nurses within our hospital, long term care facility and our outpatient practices may be nominated by patients, families, and providers.  They are chosen by a committee of community members and staff at Porter to receive The DAISY Award” she said. The DAISY Award is presented four times annually, and each nominee receives a certificate commending them for being 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.” 

Said Bonnie Barnes, FAAN, President and Co-Founder of The DAISY Foundation, “When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced first-hand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night. Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the super-human work they do.  The kind of work the nurses at Porter are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award.”

“We are proud to be among the healthcare organizations participating in the DAISY Award program.  Nurses are heroes every day and the launch of this program could not happen at a more opportune time.  It is important that our nurses know their work is highly valued, and the DAISY Foundation provides a way for us to do that”, Beinhaur added.  

For a complete listing of healthcare organizations currently running the program, please go to http://DAISYfoundation.org

About The University of Vermont Health Network

The University of Vermont Health Network is an academic health system that is comprised of six affiliate hospitals, a multi-specialty medical group, and a home health agency. We serve the residents of Vermont and northern New York with a shared mission: working together, we improve people’s lives.  Our partners include:

Our 4,000 health care professionals are driven to provide high quality, cost-efficient care as close to home as possible. Strengthened by our academic connection to the University of Vermont, each of our hospitals remains committed to its local community by providing compassionate, personal care shaped by the latest medical advances and delivered by highly skilled experts.