DAISY Award presented to four exceptional ICU nurses at Beebe

Four nurses at Beebe Healthcare were recently honored with the DAISY Award, a part of the DAISY Foundation’s national program to recognize the superhuman efforts nurses make every day. Beebe presents the DAISY Award to nurses on a quarterly basis, but this is the first time for a DAISY Team Award.

Beebe’s March recipients are Karen Hostedler, Lauren Trapp, Tyler Burkhardt and Rachel Fields, all Intensive Care Unit nurses at the Margaret H. Rollins Lewes Campus. They provided outstanding care for Roy Anderson as he was recovering from open-heart surgery and kept his wife, Renee, well informed since she couldn’t be with him because of COVID-19 guidelines.

The first of the four ICU nurses that Roy and Renee nominated for the Daisy Award for Nursing Excellence was Roy’s post-op nurse, Rachel Fields. Renee said she appreciated the ongoing contact Fields maintained with her since pandemic restrictions meant she couldn’t visit him. Rachel kept Renee apprised of all the news on Roy’s condition, and urged her to rest and take care of herself since Roy was in good hands.

Karen Hostedler, Roy’s night nurse, not only provided excellent care and kept Renee informed, but also added a light touch of humor during the stressful post-operative period, Renee said in her award nomination.

For the next three days, Roy’s nurses were Tyler Burkhardt on day shift and Lauren Trapp as night nurse; Renee said both provided outstanding care. They always had time to talk with her when she called about Roy’s condition, and they kept the conversations cheerful and upbeat. Renee was impressed by their professionalism and passion for nursing, which she recognized from her own 40 years in the field. 

The Andersons also thanked the nurses and surgery team through Beebe Medical Foundation’s Celebrate Excellent Care program.

Karen, Lauren, Tyler, and Rachel were each presented with a DAISY Award certificate and a hand-carved Healer’s Touch sculpture during a recent surprise ceremony. The certificate commends the honoree for being an extraordinary nurse. It 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 not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, Calif., and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Patrick died at the age of 33 in 1999 from complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, a little-known but not uncommon autoimmune 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.

Nurses may be nominated by patients, families, and colleagues, and they are chosen by a committee of nurses at Beebe Healthcare to receive the DAISY Award. Awards are presented in front of the nurse’s colleagues, physicians, patients, and visitors.

“Beebe is proud to be among the healthcare organizations participating in the DAISY Award program,” said Lynne Voskamp, vice president of Nursing Operations & Continuum of Care, chief nursing officer, and Home Care Services administrator. “Nurses are on the front lines of patient care every day. It’s important that our nurses know their work is highly valued, and the DAISY Foundation provides a way for us to do that.”

To nominate a Beebe nurse for the DAISY Award, go to beebehealthcare.org/forms/daisy-award. For program details and a complete listing of healthcare organizations currently involved, go to daisyfoundation.org.

For more information about Beebe Healthcare, visit beebehealthcare.org.