Nurses at Community Health Center of Branch County are being honored with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. The award, presented in collaboration with the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) is part of the DAISY Foundation's program to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform everyday.

The first award recipient at CHC is Dawn Merriman from the Emergency Department. Dawn was nominated to receive the DAISY Award because she has a positive attitude and demonstrates professionalism in the work environment. Her job performance exemplifies the mission and vision of CHC.

She collaborates with the health care team to meet patient’s needs, and establishes a special connection with patients and families through trust and emotional support. Dawn models good assessment skills and decision making capabilities. She demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills with peers and co-workers.

Each quarter, a nurse will be selected by CHC nursing administration to receive the DAISY Award. At a presentation given in front of the nurse’s colleagues, physicians, patients, and visitors, the honoree will receive a certificate commending her or him 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." The honoree will also be given a special sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa.

The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, CA, and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. 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.

Said Bonnie Barnes, 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 acutely ill 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 the Community Health Center of Branch County are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of the DAISY Award.”

“We are proud to be among the hospitals participating in the DAISY Award program. Nurses are heroes everyday,” said Chief Clinical Officer, Mary Rose. “It’s important that our nurses know their work is highly valued, and the DAISY Foundation provides a way for us to do that.”

CHC held an award ceremony on March 30, 2010. This was CHC’s first quarterly Daisy Award. The nominees included: Barbara Slomer, Cancer Center; Katrina Young, Emergency Department; Karen Barkman, Emergency Department; and award winner Dawn Merriman, Emergency Department. Congratulations to all nominees. CHC will be awarding a new recipient every quarter.