Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus Registered Nurse Krystal Messick, RN, is known for frequently going above and beyond for her patients. It’s her compassion and empathy for others that led Messick to receiving the DAISY Award, which is given by the DAISY Foundation to recognize the “unsung heroes” of the nursing profession.
Messick was nominated by fellow Bayhealth nurse and Education Department Manager Karen Merson, MSN, RN, for the care Messick provided to Merson’s mother – Eileen Hanhauser – during a recent hospital stay. Hanhauser was a patient on 2B following a shoulder replacement. While the surgery went well, she developed multiple complications, including pneumonia. Messick not only went above and beyond while Hanhauser was on her unit, but when she was transferred to another unit due to a decline in her status, Messick visited her on the new unit.
“These acts of kindness were above and beyond what we expected and meant a great deal to us, especially considering that mom wasn’t Krystal’s patient, but she saw the need to help her coworker and a patient,” Merson said. “Since that time, I’ve heard many other stories of how Krystal frequently goes above and beyond to provide the best care to the patients at Bayhealth.”
Merson and Hanhauser were on hand when Messick was presented with the DAISY Award. “In our roles as nurses, we don’t always get to see the big picture and the end result. To see her now and know I’ve made a difference is truly inspiring,” Messick said.
Hospitals and healthcare systems across the country, including Bayhealth, partner with the DAISY Foundation on the award. DAISY is an acronym for Disease Attacking the Immune System. The goals of the foundation include funding research and evidence-based practice projects that affect the treatment of patients with auto-immune diseases.
DAISY Award honorees are chosen by nurses, administrators, peers, physicians, volunteers, patients, and family. If you know a Bayhealth nurse who deserves to be nominated, visit Bayhealth.org/Daisy and fill out the nomination form.
