Alesia Redeker, RN, Family Birth Suites, was recently recognized as a DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses winner at SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital.
The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® is part of The DAISY Foundation’s mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care they provide patients and families every day. Nurses may be nominated by patients, families, and colleagues.
The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, 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.
Redeker was nominated by a patient who wrote:
As a first-time mom, I was overwhelmed when our newborn daughter had unexpected health challenges after birth. Although she looked healthy, she struggled to keep her blood sugar at a safe level and needed several days of specialized care.
Alesia went above and beyond to support our family during a very stressful time. She helped us understand what was happening, answered every question with patience and compassion, and worked closely with doctors and specialists to find answers.
She also gave me the confidence and support I needed as a new mom, helping me learn breastfeeding, pumping, and caring for my baby. Alesia’s knowledge, kindness, and dedication made all the difference for our family. We are incredibly grateful she was our nurse and cannot thank her enough for the exceptional care she provided to both me and our daughter.
Redeker was recently recognized during a brief ceremony. She received a certificate commending her as 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.” Honorees also receive a DAISY Award pin, and a beautiful and meaningful sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe.
“When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced first-hand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night,” according to Bonnie Barnes, FAAN, president and co-founder of The DAISY Foundation. “Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the super-human, extraordinary, compassionate work they do.” The kind of work the nurses at SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award.
More information is available at http://DAISYfoundation.org.
