Beebe Nurses Presented with DAISY Awards, Underscoring the Value of Compassionate Care for Cancer Patients
Beebe Healthcare is pleased to announce that two nurses whose work centers around providing comprehensive, compassionate care for cancer patients, have been presented DAISY Awards. These special awards celebrate nurses who go above and beyond the call of duty, and demonstrate excellence in the clinical care environment that makes a meaningful difference for patients and families.
The first DAISY Award was presented to Jillian Hyland, RN, recognizing the care and compassion she provided for a patient who was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast and colon cancer. She was nominated for the award by the patient’s family member, who noted Jillian’s attentiveness to the unique needs of those she is caring for, while also treating everyone around her with dignity and kindness. This particular patient was blind and hard of hearing, which presented additional challenges that Jillian managed professionally and with a great deal of empathy. She tended to both the physical and emotional needs of the patient in ways that brought comfort to the family, during an especially difficult time.
“Jillian was understanding, patient, and consistently ensured my mother was as comfortable as possible,” wrote the family member. “Everyone deserves to have a nurse like Jillian. She truly embodies what it means to be a nurse, and we are forever grateful for her care.”
The second DAISY award was presented to Bonnie Rogers, RN, a nurse case manager who was also recognized by a patient’s family member for the empathy and compassion she demonstrated in caring for their loved one.
Bonnie went above and beyond to ensure the patient, who was diagnosed with end-stage cancer, received the highest quality medical care, while also providing social support that was crucial for his comfort and safety.
At the time of his diagnosis, the patient was homeless and living day-by-day in a local motel. Upon hearing of the challenges the patient was facing, Bonnie provided him with a coat and other supplies to stay warm during the challenging winter months. Eventually, the patient was able to secure a more stable living environment, when he moved in with family members who helped care for him in the final stages of his life. During this time, Bonnie called and texted the patient and his caregivers frequently to check in and ask if there was anything she could do to help him.
When the time came to transition to hospice care, Bonnie provided recommendations on who to call and what to do, ultimately guiding the patient and his family with much-needed support and love.
“He made us promise that we would ensure Bonnie would be recognized for all of her help and kindness, after he passed away,” said the patient’s family member, who nominated Bonnie for the DAISY Award. “She followed him every step of the way and accepted him as the person he was – beyond his diagnosis and without judgement on the challenges he was facing in his personal life. We will never be able to thank her enough for all of her help and for being his friend on some of the most challenging days of his life.”
The DAISY Award is presented at hospitals across the United States in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died in 1999 from complications of an autoimmune disease. The care Patrick received inspired a new way of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients. Beebe presents DAISY awards on a quarterly basis and winners receive a certificate and a hand-carved Healer’s Touch sculpture, inscribed with the words “In deep appreciation of all you do, who you are, and the incredibly meaningful difference you make in the lives of so many people.”
Patients and family members are encouraged to nominate Beebe nurses for DAISY Awards, when they feel the care they received was exceptional and worthy of special recognition. Nominations are accepted on an ongoing basis and can be submitted by visiting www.beebehealthcare.org/forms/daisy-award.