2 Birthing Center nurses honored with DAISY Awards

A program to recognize the care and compassion of extraordinary nurses continues at UHS with Rebecca Davis, RN, and Tiffany Kemak, RN, Birthing Center, UHS Wilson Medical Center, being named the August winners of the DAISY Awards.

Rebecca and Tiffany were recognized and presented with the award, and enjoyed cinnamon rolls, a symbolic treat in memory of the late J. Patrick Barnes, the patient whose experience inspired the bestowing of the awards on nurses across the country.

Rebecca and Tiffany were nominated by a colleague, Emily Dorval, RN, director of Nursing Cardiovascular Services at UHS, based on a letter Emily received from a physician commending the two nurses on their approach to caring for a patient.

The letter stated that the nursing care the physician's patient received was of the highest quality and was instrumental in making the patient feel safe and cared for as she moved through a longer-than-average second stage of labor. Tiffany and Rebecca enabled the patient to have a safe delivery of her baby, even though the process was complicated and difficult.

"I was lucky and grateful to have the support, wisdom and collaboration of such excellent nurses,” the physician said in the letter. “I know that the patient appreciated the care, and although I have spoken with each member of the team personally to express my thanks, I wanted to let you know of their performance, which went above and beyond the call of duty."

Continuing, the provider noted: "I feel lucky to be able to work with this excellent team. Thanks for working so hard to help our patients get safe deliveries that allow them to feel supported and engaged in their birthing process."

The DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune SYstem) Award is an international recognition program that honors and celebrates the skillful, compassionate care nurses provide every day. The DAISY Foundation was established by the family of J. Patrick Barnes after he died from complications of the autoimmune disease ITP in 1999. During his hospitalization, his family members deeply appreciated the care and compassion shown to Mr. Barnes and his loved ones. After he passed away, they felt compelled to say thank you to nurses in a very public way. To learn more, visit DAISYFoundation.org.

Launched at UHS in April, the award program encourages the nomination of nurses by anyone in the organization--patients, patients’ family members, other nurses, physicians, or other clinicians and staff--anyone who experiences or observes extraordinary care being provided by a nurse.

Nominations are submitted by using a form found on nyuhs.org. On this form, the person will be able to tell the story of why they are nominating the nurse, while also choosing which UHS Value (Compassion, Trust, Respect, Teamwork, Innovation) the nurse most prominently displayed.

If you have any questions, contact Toni Nash, RN, at 763-6896 or send an email to daisy@nyuhs.org.