Beebe Healthcare Presents DAISY Award to Extraordinary Nurse Michael Mason
Michael Mason, RN, a nurse on Beebe Healthcare’s Stepdown Unit, has been honored with this quarter’s DAISY Award. The award is a part of the DAISY Foundation’s national program to recognize the super-human efforts nurses make every day.
Michael received the DAISY Award because of the care and support he provided for a COVID-19 patient at the end of her life and the communication and connection he had with her family.
“Michael was an amazing advocate for my mother, as no visitation from her family was allowed,” the patient’s daughter, Mimi Otto, wrote. “We were eventually allowed to be with her as she took her last breaths, but her nurse was the only link between her and the family up to that point. Michael kept us informed on a daily basis as to her progress and became her best ally.”
“We, as a family, knew Michael had connected with her as a friend and had helped ease her fears while facing her imminent death,” she added. “He explained the process she was about to go through and was with her and us through every step of the way. The agonizing experience was made more tolerable because of the care that he provided to her and to us a family.”
“I can’t think of a more worthy nurse to receive this recognition. Compassionate, competent, and caring just begin to describe the qualities that he embodies. Beebe is truly fortunate to have a nurse like Michael on its staff.”
Michael was presented with a DAISY Award certificate and a hand-carved Healer’s Touch sculpture during a recent surprise, socially distant ceremony. Each DAISY honoree receives the statue and the certificate, which 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, California, 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 (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune 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 given throughout the year at presentations given 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 and Chief Nursing Officer. “Nurses are on the front lines of patient care every day. Now more than ever, 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, please visit www.beebehealthcare.org/forms/daisy-award. For a complete listing of healthcare organizations currently running the program, visit www.daisyfoundation.org.
Photo caption: Michael Mason, RN, a nurse on the Stepdown Unit at Beebe Healthcare, is the recipient of this quarter’s DAISY Award.