Extraordinary Nurse Recognized at Saline Health System

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 Award recipient Nichole Hodge, LPN Med-Surg, was nominated for going above and beyond while caring for a patient.

Hodge’s nomination in part read:

My 76-year-old husband had to have the whole right side of his colon removed by Dr. Patton, and Nichole was his nurse. She has so much compassion and cared for our whole family. She held my husband's hand and talked to all of us so we would know what to expect and would not be so scared. She took her time, listened and answered all of our questions. She has a heart of gold.

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.

“We are proud to be among the healthcare organizations participating in The DAISY Award program,” said Katie Lea, Chief Nursing Officer. “As our nurses are working hard every day to care for patients, it’s important that we continue to recognize their efforts.”

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.