Beckley VAMC Celebrates Nurses with DAISY Awards

This is the foundation of the DAISY Awards, a recognition program to celebrate and recognize nurses by collecting nominations from patients, families, and co-workers.

Beckley VAMC recently recognized the “DAISY Dozen,” along with the DAISY Award Honoree for the year.  This year’s honoree is Alison Whitten, R.N. 

Ali was assigned as Lead Coordinator (LC) for a Veteran under Care Coordination and Integrated Case Management (CC&ICM), a new health care practice approach being implemented at all VAs across the nation.  The LC is a single, readily accessible, and clearly identifiable point of contact for a Veteran, their family and caregiver, and care team members. The LC has primary responsibility for ensuring the Veteran’s care is coordinated across settings, services, and episodes of care, and the care plan is delivered as clinically directed. 

Ali accepted the Lead Coordinator assignment without any hesitation. She served as an advocate for the Veteran’s care, including him ultimately being enrolled in Home Base Primary Care (HBPC). With Ali’s persistent advocation for this Veteran’s health, he has shifted to basic care coordination needs from moderate and has a better understanding of his own health and how to best manage it.

The 40 nominations this year were sent to Beckley VAMC’s DAISY Committee, which scores the nominations using criteria that focuses on compassion and fitting VA’s mission and values.

During the presentation, Alison received a certificate in a DAISY portfolio, a beautiful hand-carved Healer’s Touch Sculpture from Zimbabwe, an Honoree pin, a bouquet of flowers, a copy of her nomination, a gift bag, and cinnamon rolls to share.

The other nominees that make up the Beckley VAMC “DAISY Dozen” this year includes Tristen Ellis. Susanna Eller, Kasie Lemon, Christopher Gabbert, April Ratliff, Kaitlin Halstead, Misty Black, Caitlyn Nay, April Sgro (Pennington), Myranda Honaker, Deborah Hull, and Rebecca Richmond.