Sharon Michels, RN, SSM Health at Work, has been named a DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses winner at SSM Health Fond du Lac Regional Clinic.
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.
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.
Nurses may be nominated by patients, families, and colleagues. Awards are presented to one recipient on a quarterly basis at celebrations attended by the honoree’s colleagues, patients, and visitors.
Michels was nominated by several patients and colleagues who wrote:
“Sharon is always kind and caring of how I have been doing when I come in for an appointment. When I have tests done, Sharon calls me with the results the same day, and if Louann Biddick, APNP, had seen any concerns with the results, Sharon explains to me the concerns and if I need to make any changes to my meds.”
“We aren’t sure what we would do without Sharon. She calls me back promptly when I call with concerns or questions. She listens to what I have to say. My family and I would be lost without Sharon, and I hope she can get recognized with this award. She is very deserving.”
“Sharon has been so good to myself and my extended family. She absolutely returns our calls every time we leave a message. She is prompt on calling in medications. Sharon is so kind and caring when we have an appointment. She listens and follows through with any concerns we have.”
“Sharon is a dedicated, compassionate nurse who exemplifies the values, vision and mission of SSM Health in her daily work. Sharon fulfills the vision of bringing peace, hope, and health to every person and family in the community. She goes above and beyond to meet patients’ unmet needs. An example of this is bringing her own insulin pump equipment to a patient who was out and giving a patient a ride home and delivering supplies to a home on her way home.”
During a brief ceremony, Michels was recognized by SSM Health at Work leaders – Nick Thanos, Jim Meacham, and Shayla Vroman. Michels 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 the Fond du Lac Regional Clinic are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award.”
More information is available at http://DAISYfoundation.org.
