Hershey names Getz, Bowser November, December Daisy Award winners
Hershey Medical Center presented the November and December DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Awards to Rebecca Getz, staff nurse for the Heart and Vascular Institute Critical Care Unit and Caitlin Bowser, staff nurse on 6th Floor Medical, respectively.
The accolade recognizes nurses for their skillful, compassionate care and their daily support of patients and families.
A colleague nominated Getz and praised her compassion for a patient who had been on the unit for months suffering from cardiogenic shock. The patient started out hopeful but then gave up. On the patient’s birthday, Getz threw a party with balloons, decorations and a cake. The patient “cracked a smile” that day because of Getz’s effort to bring joy in the midst of a crisis.
“Even if the unit blows up, Beky is calm and collected, and lets everyone know ahead of time the game plan so nobody is shuffling last second with their assignments,” said Getz’s nominator. “She also precepts to the unit, ensuring they are up to speed on their competencies and their new routine in the Heart and Vascular Institute Critical Care Unit.”
A patient nominated Bowser. “She made me feel human,” the patient wrote. “She made me forget for at least a bit about my ailments. She is extraordinary, and I feel truly blessed to have met her. She gave me so much of herself. I want to honor and thank her.”
For five days, Bowser cared for the patient, who had numerous pulmonary complications. The patient said Bowser’s “attentiveness, response and demeanor were that of someone well beyond her years.” When the patient’s caregiver team changed, Bowser continued to visit, play cards and provide support.
DAISY Award Mission
The Daisy Award was created in memory of Patrick Barnes who died at age 33 of complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura. The DAISY Foundation was established by his family to keep his spirit alive. Its primary mission is to express gratitude to nurses for the work they do for patients and their families every day.
Who Can Nominate
Winners are nominated by staff members, patients and their families and selected by Hershey Medical Center’s Patient- and Family-Centered Care Advisory Council. See the award application and past winners on the Nursing Infonet site. Contact Kris Reynolds at 717-531-7025 with any questions.
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