Beebe presents DAISY Team Award to extraordinary obstetrics nurses

Nurses at Beebe Healthcare were 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 only the second time it has presented a DAISY Team Award.

The DAISY Team Award recipients are all obstetrics nurses in the labor and delivery unit at Beebe Healthcare’s Margaret H. Rollins Lewes Campus.

Awardees are registered nurses April Phillips, Kylie Powell, Crystal Reynolds, Jennifer Blush, Shauntey Singletary, Rachel Walker, Jennifer Horner, Kelsi Warrington, Deborah Wright, Maureen Baker, Amanda Biro, Cecilia D’Orazio, Kimberly Emerick, and Rebecca Heistand.

As a group and individually, these nurses have received multiple DAISY award nominations from grateful patients over the past few years. The DAISY award was presented to the entire obstetrics nursing team to recognize them for the multitude of award nominations the team members have received.

“From the moment my wife and I arrived in the hospital to the moment we left, we received exceptional help,” wrote a nominator. “Our daughter was born so smoothly thanks to these amazing nurses. Even after the birth, they continued to go the extra mile and help with everything.”

“We checked into labor and delivery where we met our nurse. She was amazing!” said another nomination letter. “She made me/us feel like we were her only patients and had an extremely pleasant bedside manner. She went out of her way to make sure we had everything we needed to be comfortable.”

“My nurse went above and beyond. She showed how much she cared,” another nomination letter read. “She is genuine and deserves to be recognized. Thank you for taking good care of me and my baby.”

“During the majority of our time at Beebe, we had the same nurse. She cared for us during labor, was there when our son was born, and the time after, as well as the following day. Since I had a complicated labor, my baby and I needed additional attention,” said another patient in her letter. “She was right by our side, always knowing exactly what to do in the situation and knowing what to say to lessen my anxiety. Not only is she an incredibly skilled nurse, but she also has such a calm and kind personality that made us feel so at ease. I never hesitated to ask questions and never felt uncomfortable asking for help. I felt such a connection to her since she played such a large role in one of the most important days of our lives. That is directly due to the amazing care and kindness we received from her. We cannot say enough about how wonderful of a nurse and person she proved to be during our time in the Labor and Delivery unit at Beebe.”

The obstetrics nurses were all presented with DAISY Award certificates and pins during a recent surprise ceremony.

The nonprofit 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.