Extraordinary Nurses Recognized at the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center
Jennifer Beer, RN and Jessica Chatham, RN of the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center were recently honored with The DAISY Award® For Extraordinary Nurses.
The award is part of the Daisy Foundation’s programs to recognize the super-human effort nurses perform each day. Ms. Beer received the honor as the January recipient and Ms. Chatham received the honor for November. The November presentation was delayed due to COVID.
The nominations explained how both nurses took extra time to care for the Veterans they were serving to ensure the Veteran received the best possible healthcare experience. In addition, they provided resources for the Veterans when they were no longer in the direct care of them. The behavior was recognized by the nominators as going above and beyond.
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, FAAN, CEO and Co-Founder of The DAISY Foundation, "When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced first-hand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide 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 Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award.”
“Our nurses go above and beyond each day. This recognition is one small way we can honor those who go above and beyond. Our Veterans truly deserve the safest healthcare possible, both of these nurses displayed their commitment to ensuring all Veterans receive that experience,” said Barbara Forsha, Medical Center Director.
For a complete listing of healthcare organizations currently running the program, please go to http://DAISYfoundation.org.
In addition to the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, the Foundation expresses gratitude to
the nursing profession internationally in over 4,600 healthcare facilities and schools of nursing with recognition of direct care Nurses, Nurse-led Teams, Nurse Leaders, Nurses Advancing Health Equity, Nursing Faculty, Nursing Students, Lifetime Achievement in Nursing and through the J. Patrick Barnes Grants for Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Projects, Medical Mission Grants their new Health Equity Grant program. More information is available at http://DAISYfoundation.org.