Savanna Alvarez, RN, Medical/Surgical, has been named a DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses winner at SSM Health Ripon Community 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. 

Alvarez was nominated by a patient’s family member who wrote: 

“While my mom has had such great care from all staff, Savanna went above and beyond for my mom. My mom always would talk about how kind and calming Savanna is. My mom would tell me and my family about how Savanna would stay with her at night and talk to her about TV shows/movies/life. I stayed my first night at the hospital with my mom. Mom had a bad night; she had a lot of pain. Savanna tried everything she could do to help my mom. Not only does Savanna do excellent nursing, but she also has an amazing loving heart. My mom spoke with Savanna telling her what a wonderful nurse she is. She wanted Savanna to never forget how great of a nurse she is. I know my mom would have wanted Savanna to have a DAISY Award. I will never forget seeing Savanna rubbing my mom’s arm and calming her down. Not only did she comfort my mom, but she comforted me as well. Her heart is loving, warm, and so-so kind. During the night. my mom wanted her favorite drink. Savanna brought a bag full of Snapple. She didn’t need to do that for my mom, but she did. Savanna goes above and beyond for her patients. She is dear to our hearts. Thank you, Savanna!”

During a brief ceremony, Alvarez was recognized by Nicole Gill, vice president of Patient Services/chief nursing officer, and Jenifer Bunker, director – Inpatient, Emergency and Surgical Services. Alvarez 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 Ripon Community Hospital are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award.”

More information is available at http://DAISYfoundation.org.  

Savanna Alvarez (center), an RN with SSM Health Ripon Community Hospital Medical/Surgical, receives a DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses honor from Jenifer Bunker (left), director – Inpatient, Emergency and Surgical Services, and Nicole Gill, vice president of Patient Services/chief nursing officer.