Bayhealth nurse Lois Vannicola honored with DAISY Award

The words care and support often come to mind when one thinks about nursing. Most connect this care and support to what nurses give to their patients, but sometimes they provide care and support to each other.

For Bayhealth Sussex Campus nurse Lois Vannicola, BSN, RN, the care and support – and empathy – she gave to a co-worker earned her a DAISY Award, which honors nurses for the compassionate care they provide.

“Lois helped me on one of the hardest days of my eight-year career, and although we always work as a team, I feel Lois went above and beyond, and not only helped me make it through the day, but she also helped a family,” said the co-worker who nominated Vannicola. “Lois is always willing to lend a hand or help in any way that she can. I can’t think of anything more valuable while we navigate through a pandemic than a nurse who not only can share her expertise from experience but who makes the time to help her co-workers. So, thank you for helping me make it through the day, Lois.”

Vannicola, who has been a nurse at Bayhealth for nearly two years, said she also recalls that day being extremely difficult for her co-worker, and she was happy to help. “It is an honor to receive such an award, and to think that a fellow employee was so appreciative of me stepping in and assisting her during a difficult situation,” said Vannicola, who wanted to be a nurse at age 16 but didn’t become one until years later after experiences caring for her own son convinced her to pursue that dream.

The DAISY Award is given by the DAISY Foundation, which was formed in 2000 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes. The Barnes family wanted to recognize the nurses who cared for Patrick and all the other unsung heroes of the nursing profession.

DAISY Award honorees are chosen by nurses, administrators, peers, physicians, volunteers, patients and family. To nominate a deserving nurse, go Bayhealth.org/DAISY and fill out the form.