Saline Health System is proud to partner with The DAISY Foundation to recognize local nurses with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation's mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care they provide patients and families every day.

The most recent DAISY Leader recipient Adam Blackerby, Inpatient Nurse Director, was nominated for going above and beyond as a leader.

Blackerby’s nomination in part read: “When thinking of the word “leadership” the first thing that comes to mind is to lead by example. When you want to watch a group or team achieve something or be productive you need positivity, good work ethic, and to truly care about the work you do. If there was one person that embodied leadership in our hospital it would be Adam Blackerby. He pushed his team to be the best, not just for themselves but for the patients, because when the patients win, we all win.”

The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family. 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. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.) 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. The award recipient is chosen by a committee at Saline Health System to receive The DAISY Award. Awards are presented throughout the year at celebrations attended by the Honoree’s colleagues, patients, and visitors. Each Honoree receives a certificate commending her or him as an "Extraordinary Nurse."

The certificate 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." Honorees also receive a DAISY Award pin and a beautiful and meaningful sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe.

“The DAISY Nurse Leader Award gives staff, patients, and families a way to express their gratitude for the compassionate environment Nurse Leaders provide,” said Katie Lea, Chief Nursing Officer. “We are proud to partner with the DAISY Foundation to recognize our extraordinary nurses and nurse leaders.”

This is one initiative of The DAISY Foundation to express gratitude to the nursing profession. Additionally, DAISY offers J. Patrick Barnes Grants for Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Projects, The DAISY Faculty Award to honor inspiring faculty members in schools and colleges of nursing, and The DAISY in Training Award for nursing students. More information is available at http://DAISYfoundation.org.

For more information, visit www.salinememorial.org or call 776-6746.